MARTIN, Tenn. – Reigning Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the Week Mikayla Kinnard recorded 11 assists Thursday but SIUE women's basketball dropped a 75-58 contest at UT Martin.

Kinnard posted the most assists by a Cougar since former OVC Player of the Year Shronda Butts provided 10 back in 2016.

"One of the challenges I gave her this week was to play so hard these last two games the way you want to push into her sophomore campaign," said SIUE Head Coach Paula Buscher. "I thought she played extremely hard."

Kinnard did not have the same shooting touch as she did in her last outing when she scored a season-best 24, finishing with six points. It would be Allie Troeckler and Kaitlin Lee who would provide the offense for the Cougars, which fell to 3-25 overall and 1-16 in the OVC.

UT Martin demonstrated why it started the night in a tie for the OVC lead by shooting 46 percent from the field and hitting 13 of 14 free throws.

"They are difficult to stop at times," said Buscher.

Maddie Waldrop led all players in scoring with 21 points followed by NCAA and OVC scoring leader Chelsey Perry with 18. Dasia Young and Brittni Moore added 13 and 10 points, respectively.

UT Martin improved to 19-9 overall and 15-2 in the OVC.

SIUE shot 23 of 54 from the field (42.6 percent) but struggled from the free throw line  by hitting 7 of 20 (35 percent).

"One of the things for us is that I liked our energy," said Buscher.

SIUE now heads back home to First Community Arena at the Vadalabene Center for a 4:30 p.m. contest against Eastern Illinois. Seniors Alek Akuen and Bria Stallworth as well as team manager Tori Roth will be honored in a pregame Senior Day ceremony.