The UTM Skyhawks claimed a 78-70 win here Saturday night against host Eastern Kentucky University to jump into sixth place in the Ohio Valley Conference with one regular season game to play.

The Skyhawks are 7-8 in the OVC and 14-12 overall. Murray State, the Skyhawks’ final regular season opponent, and Eastern Illinois are currently tied for fourth place in the league at 7-7. The top four teams in the league will host first round OVC tournament games.

Junior J.C. Howe, from Roy, Utah, led five Skyhawks in double digits with 20 points.

Senior Okechi Egbe poured in 18 points, while senior Joey Walker posted his fourth double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Junior Kenan Asceric netted 12 points, while Earl Bullock chipped in 11 points.

The Skyhawks shot 52 percent from the field, 56 percent from three-point range and 66 percent from the free throw line. Despite committing 22 turnovers, the Skyhawks managed to outscore EKU 25-15 on points off turnovers.

EKU won the battle in the paint as it outscored the Skyhawks 40-18. Both teams grabbed 34 rebounds each. Walker led the Skyhawks and all rebounders with 11 rebounds. EKU’s effort was paced by center Jon Bentley with 23 points and 10 rebounds.

The Skyhawks led by as many as 14 points in the first half. At the break they led 41-33. The game was tied three times and the lead changed five times.

EKU led 59-58 with 8:14 to go in the game, but Asceric tied the game for the third and final time when he hit a three pointer with 7:26 to play.

The Skyhawks never trailed again in the game. EKU managed to cut the lead to three points with a Bentley layup with 1:54 to play.

The Skyhawks return to action Saturday, March 1 when they host Murray State. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. Skyhawk seniors Brooks Smith, Jon Roos, Okechi Egbe and Joey Walker will be honored.