Clayton’s 21 helps James get first win as coach of Tennessee-Martin, 79-67 over Harris-Stowe
By APFriday, November 20, 2009
Tenn.-Martin holds off Harris-Stowe 79-67
MARTIN, Tenn. — Reuben Clayton scored 21 points to lead Tennessee-Martin in a 79-67 win over Harris-Stowe, notching the first career victory for new coach Jason James on Friday.
Dominique Mpondo scored 16 points, grabbed eight rebounds and tallied two blocked shots for the Skyhawks (1-2). Benzor Simmons added 14 points and Terrance Coleman finished with 13.
The Skyhawks took a 39-24 haltime lead, and held onto win despite being outscored by the Hornets (3-4) 43-40 in the second half.
Tennessee-Martin hit 23 free throws compared to 12 by the Hornets, and outrebounded Harris-Stowe 35-22.
Harris-Stowe shot 53.1 percent from the field (26-for-49) compared to just a 44.8 percent mark (26-for-58) for the Skyhawks.
James, who was an assistant on the Skyhawks’ coaching staff for the last seven seasons, is the second-youngest head coach in Division I.
