Preview: Lindenwood Lions at Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks

MARTIN, Tenn. (Interstat) — A surging Tennessee-Martin squad looks to protect its home court and solidify its position atop the Ohio Valley Conference standings when it hosts the Lindenwood Lions on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, at Skyhawk Arena.

The Skyhawks (14-4) enter on a six-game winning streak, their latest a 65-59 defensive battle against SIU Edwardsville on Thursday. Their success has been fueled by consistency, particularly from guard Filip Radaković. Over the last six contests, Radaković has averaged 14.2 points, including a 23-point outing in a win at Southern Indiana on Jan. 10.

Lindenwood (11-7) arrives with momentum of its own, coming off an 88-76 road victory at Southeast Missouri State where its offense exploded. The Lions are powered by dynamic guard Anias Futrell, who is coming off a career-high 28-point performance in that win. Futrell has shown high-scoring capability, dropping 30 points in a loss to Arkansas-Little Rock on Jan. 10, but his production has fluctuated in conference play.

The matchup pits Tennessee-Martin’s steady, balanced attack against a Lindenwood team that can be explosive but inconsistent. The Lions’ three primary scorers—Futrell, Dontrez Williams (22 points Thursday), and Jadis Jones (20 points Thursday)—all clicked simultaneously against SEMO, presenting a significant challenge for the Skyhawks’ defense.

Tennessee-Martin has been dominant at home this season, with its last loss at Skyhawk Arena coming on Dec. 18. Lindenwood, meanwhile, has struggled on the road in OVC play, with losses at SIU Edwardsville and Arkansas-Little Rock already this month.

This game marks the first of two regular-season meetings between the teams. They will meet again in St. Charles, Mo., on Thursday, Feb. 12.

For Tennessee-Martin, a win would extend its streak and maintain pressure in the conference race. For Lindenwood, an upset on the road would signal a major statement and bolster its conference tournament résumé. The key battle will be on the perimeter, where Radaković’s steady hand will duel with Futrell’s explosive scoring potential.