LOUISVILLE, Ky. --- The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women's basketball team fell 63-47 to No. 4 Louisville Monday night in the final game of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Women's Challenge at the KFC Yum! Center.
 
"I thought our effort was better. I thought we played harder," Chattanooga head coach Jim Foster said. "Against a team that dominates on the boards, we were even with them on the boards."
 
Chattanooga matched Louisville 36-36 on rebounds with UTC getting 14 offensive boards.
 
Senior Queen Alford (Decatur, Ga.) scored eight of her game-high 20 points in the final quarter where the Mocs outscored the Cardinals 15-12. She was 3-of-6 from beyond the arc and grabbed five rebounds in her 33 minutes on the floor.
 
"Queen just needs to be aggressive and take advantage of her opportunities," Foster said.
 
Senior Jasmine Joyner (Southaven, Miss.) had a game-high 15 rebounds to go along with seven blocked shots, three steals and three assists.
 
"Jas really struggled with some point-blank shots early," Foster said. "She just needs to slow down. Her energy with 15 rebounds and seven blocks and three steals is just terrific. She has a tendency to get excited. You can't be excited on offense. You have to be relaxed."
 
Louisville came out strong to start the game and the Mocs didn't have an answer. The lead quickly got out to double digits on a 14-2 run to start the game, but the Mocs rallied to keep the lead no larger at the end of the quarter.
 
The Cardinals started the second period on a 6-0 run to make it 31-12 at the 7:21 mark, but UTC cut back into the lead behind five points from Alford to end the frame.
 
Freshman Lakelyn Bouldin (Spencer, Tenn.) and junior Keiana Gilbert (Pulaski, Tenn.) combined for 19 points and started the second half with back-to-back jumpers getting the Mocs to within 12 at 35-23.
 
Bouldin recorded her second double-figure game of the year with 10 points , making 5-of-6 from the free throw line and added four rebounds. Gilbert had nine points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals.
 
Louisville edged the Mocs in the paint 26-22 and had and 18-14 advantage on points off turnovers. Chattanooga had nine points off 14 offensive rebounds and the Cardinals bench outscored UTC's 28-4. No Louisville player was in double figures. Mariya Moore had a team-high nine points and seven assists while Myisha Hines-Allen contributed seven points with a team-best 10 rebounds.
 
Chattanooga had its lowest shooting percentage of the year making just 17-of-57 (.298). The Mocs were 4-of-21 from the 3-point line and allowed the Cardinals just 3-of-14. Both teams were stellar from the free throw line with Louisville making all 10 of its attempts while UTC was 9-of-10.
 
"We rushed a lot of our 3's early and that was due to their quickness," Foster said. "From the point of view of experience, that can make us a better team coming in here and playing as hard as we played. That is a good sign.
 
"Understanding that we have more teams like this to play. If we can get this kind of mentality, that that is who we are, we are going to be successful."
 
The Mocs even out their record at 3-3 on the year while Louisville remains undefeated at 6-0. Chattanooga returns home to host a strong Green Bay team Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. at the McKenzie Arena. Tickets are on sale at the McKenzie Arena box office or online at GoMocs.com.