JERSEY CITY, N.J. --- After letting a four point halftime lead slip away to a 14 point deficit, the Lady Mocs mounted a second half comeback and posted a 78-69 double-overtime win over the Richmond Spiders in the opening game of the St. Peter's College Holiday Classic at the Yanitelli Center in Jersey City, N.J.
The Lady Mocs shot a scorching 58.1 percent in overtime and had 16 second chance points on 19 offensive boards. From the free throw line, the Lady Mocs were 25-of-32 for the game making 8-of-10 in overtime. The Spiders forced 24 UTC turnovers scoring 20 points off the miscues while the Lady Mocs had 18 points off 12 Richmond turnovers.
Senior Shanara Hollinquest (Sylacauga, Ala.) led all scorers with 25 points and 13 rebounds for her eighth double-double of the year while freshman Erin Helton (Cookeville, Tenn.) notched the first of her career with 14 points and 11 boards. Hollinquest went 13-for-14 from the charity stripe and freshman Kayla Christopher (Oliver Springs, Tenn.) was 5-for-7. Senior Jenaya Wade-Fray (Madison, Ala.) was the third UTC player in double-figures with 15 points while Christopher grabbed 10 rebounds.
Chattanooga (7-6, 3-2 SoCon) jumped out to an 8-0 lead over the Spiders to start the game not allowing Richmond (8-4, 0-0 A10) a basket through the first 7:29 of the game. However, the Spiders would not be kept down for long as they battled back into the game tying it up 12-12 with 6:11 to play before the half. Both teams continued to struggle from the field going into halftime with UTC leading 20-16.
In the second half, Richmond quickly took control starting the half on a 12-3 run as Chattanooga could only muster a 3-pointer from Wade-Fray to start the period. Richmond continued its run outscoring the Lady Mocs 14-5 over the next 4:54 to take its largest lead of the game at 42-28 with 11:09 to play.
Helton hit a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 11 and Richmond responded with a 3-pointer from Kara Powell who capped off an eight-point scoring barrage over a two-minute period to put the Spiders back up by 14. From there on it would be all Chattanooga in a race to the end of regulation as the Lady Mocs outscored the Spiders 22-8 over the final 8:15 of the second half.
In the first overtime period, redshirt freshman Kiara Smith (Rome, Ga.) led the Lady Mocs with five points as both teams managed 10 points in the period. The second overtime would be all UTC.
While Powell started the period with a 3-pointer, Wade-Fray grabbed a steal at mid-court for a fast-break layup and followed it up with a 3-pointer to put the Lady Mocs up for good at 68-66 with 3:10 to play. The five points sparked a 12-0 run with three free throws from Helton, a pair from Hollinquest and another jumper from Wade-Fray.
Richmond was led in scoring by Brittani Shells with 21 points. Powell had 14 and Crystal Goring chipped in 10. Shells and Rachael Bliney each had seven boards.
The Lady Mocs will play the winner of the Morgan State/St. Peter's game Wednesday evening at 7:30 at the Yanitelli Center. Larry Ward, the "Voice of the Lady Mocs" will have all the action live on 95.3, The Pulse or online at www.GoMocs.com. Live stats will also be available at GoMocs.com.
