BOX SCORE AND PLAY-BY-PLAY | NOTES
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- On an afternoon when the Lady Mocs welcomed back some of their all-time greats, UTC (18-6, 14-1 SoCon) needed a late flurry against Georgia Southern (14-9, 9-5 SoCon) to remain undefeated at home in Southern Conference action. Chattanooga used a 16-4 run over the last five minutes to secure a 58-48 win at The McKenzie Arena.
The Lady Mocs wanted to put on a show for ?Reunion Weekend' but may have pressed too hard to impress their distinguished guests. Chattanooga shot a season-low 28.6% (14-49) from the floor, including 5-24 (20.8%) from 3-pt. range.
Tough defense and minimal turnovers kept the Lady Mocs in the game. The Lady Mocs held the Eagles to just 29.3% from the floor, a season-low for a UTC opponent. Chattanooga committed a season-low nine turnovers.
Georgia Southern handed the Lady Mocs their only loss in SoCon play this season, 66-65 on Jan. 3, snapping UTC's 27-game league winning streak. The Eagles looked poised to snap Chattanooga's 22-game SoCon home winning streak today.
After trailing 24-20 in a first half that saw both teams combined to shoot 13-59 (22%) from the floor, GSU remained close throughout most of the second period. The Eagles cut the Lady Mocs' lead to 44-42, following a layup by Ashley Nelson with 5:13 left in the game.
Chattanooga's offense finally woke up when senior Erin Ogan answered with a 3-pointer a minute later. Georgia Southern would get back to within one point, 47-46, on two free-throws by Ashley Rivens. The Lady Mocs responded to close the game on an 11-2 run, fueled by consecutive 3-pointers from juniors Tagan Hatchett and Jenaya Wade-Fray to close out the win.
The Lady Mocs were just 2-19 from 3-pt. range before Ogan's basket sparked their game-clinching run.
Chattanooga was led by Wade-Fray's 15 points and six rebounds. Junior Shanara Hollinquest recorded her seventh double-double of the season, and second straight, with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Ogan added 12 points while Hatchett had a game-high five assists, matching her career-best.
The Lady Mocs return to action on Monday, Feb. 9, when they host the College of Charleston at 7:00 p.m. in The McKenzie Arena.
