CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. ? The Lady Mocs advanced to the championship game of the Panera Bread Challenge with a 68-58 win over Murray State at the McKenzie Arena.
Chattanooga (4-1) started the game with 9-0 run and spread it out to as much as 10 before the Racers (2-2) pushed back and cut the lead to 24-22 with 7:26 to play in the first half. Twin sisters Paige and Amber Guffey combined for all four of Murray State's four 3-pointers in the opening half, pulling their team back into the game that had seemed to get away early. The Lady Mocs led by a slim four-point halftime margin.
In the second half, Chattanooga spread the lead to 13 twice before Murray State climbed back in, cutting the margin to five on a jumper from Ashley Hayes with 6:40 to play at 56-51. Brooke Hand's first 3-pointer made in 11 attempts rolled around the rim before falling in, giving UTC it's largest lead of the game at 68-53. Murray State scored the final five points of the game.
Alex Anderson led all scorers with 24 points and had eight rebounds. Shanara Hollinquest was the only other Chattanooga player in double-figures with 13 points, making 6-of-9 from the floor. Jenaya Wade-Fray just missed her first double-double with nine points and a career-high 11 rebounds. Hand was 1-of-11 from beyond the arc and UTC hit just 4-for-23 for the game. Laura Hall dished out six assists for Chattanooga and Anderson tacked on three more blocked shots.
Ashley Hayes had a double-double for the Racers with 12 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Amber Guffey led Murray State with 19 points and had six boards while Alaina Lee had 10 points with four rebounds and two assists. Paige Guffey had a team best four assists.
Chattanooga outrebounded the Racers 44-35 and won the turnover battle with a season-low eight to Murray State's 11.
Murray State will face Delaware (1-4) in the 5:00 p.m. Consolation Game Saturday evening and the Lady Mocs will take on Louisville (2-2) in the Championship matchup immediately following. All games can be heard live on the radio at WDOD-AM 1310 or online around the world at www.GoMocs.com. Select the women's basketball schedule and click on the link.
