MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin men’s basketball team opened the home portion of its 2009-10 season with a 79-67 victory over visiting Harris Stowe State University. The win is head coach Jason James’ first career victory at UT Martin.

While the Skyhawks posted a 12-point victory in front of more than 2,000 area elementary, middle school and high school students, James and the Skyhawks’ theme song for the 11 a.m. tipoff was Jackson Browne’s “Runnin on Empty.”

The Skyhawk cruised to a 39-24 lead at the half as junior Ookie Clayton tossed in 14 points. The Skyhawk defense forced Harris Stowe to commit 10 turnovers in the first 20 minutes of action.

Fatigue set in midway through the second half. The visiting Hornets went on a 26-12 run and cut the Skyhawks lead to five points, 69-64, with 1:35 to play in the game.

“When you play hard and fast like we are trying to do, fatigue becomes a factor,” James said. The Skyhawks also played two road games in the past seven days against perennial powers Southern Illinois and Missouri.

The Skyhawks played Missouri and Harris Stowe with only eight healthy players. The fatigue factor and the lack of depth led to the second-half stagger. The Skyhawks shot 50 percent from the field and missed six 3-point attempts. The Skyhawks also committed 14 turnovers in the game, nine of which were in the second half.

However, the Skyhawks managed to withstand the run, by cashing in at the free throw line where they hit 23-of-30 attempts.

“Making free throws is a sign of mental toughness,” James said. “I think we showed some of that today.”

The Skyhawks had four players in double-digits. Clayton led all scorers with 21 points. Dominique Mpondo tossed in 16 points, while Benzor Simmons added 14 points. Newcomer Terrance Coleman netted 13 points.

James was pleased with his team’s scoring. “We need balance,” he said. “We are a better basketball team when we get the guys to score between 7 and 15 points each.”

The Skyhawks return to action Wednesday, Nov. 25 when they make the short trek to Jonesboro to face Arkansas State. Tipoff is set for 7:05 p.m.