CHATTANOOGA --- Jada Guinn proved yet again why she is in contention for the Southern Conference's title of Player of the Year on Saturday, after the grad student dropped 30 points on Western Carolina to help give Chattanooga women's basketball a 69-59 victory in Cullowhee.
The Mocs (17-3, 5-0 SoCon) had their share of struggles, but ultimately it was the dynamic play of Guinn that helped lead UTC to its sixth consecutive victory over the Catamounts (5-16, 0-6 SoCon) on Saturday. Guinn not only set a career-high with her 30 points in the win, but is the first Moc to hit 30+ points in a game since 2020.
The Mocs, and more specifically Jada Guinn, hit the ground running on the offensive side of the ball right from the opening tip, with UTC carrying a 24-18 lead through the first quarter. Guinn would be responsible for 13 of those points for Chattanooga.
UTC built up a 29-20 lead out of the first quarter break behind baskets by Addie Grace Porter and Raven Thompson, but a pesky Western Carolina squad hung around. Attacking the Mocs on the boards, the Catamounts were able to cut Chattanooga's lead down to just one as the game hit halftime.
The Mocs sat up 38-37 through the opening 20 minutes. Both Guinn (17 points) and Thompson (10 points) had already surpassed the double-digit point threshold by the time the game reached the end of the half.
After some quick baskets out of the gates by the Catamounts, WCU took control of the game in the early stages of the third quarter to sit ahead of the Mocs for much of the frame. Led by Jada Burton, Western Carolina continued to respond to each and every UTC bucket, keeping the Mocs at bay over the course of the third.
While Guinn was able to sink a buzzer-beating two-pointer, the Mocs still found themselves trailing 51-49 with only 10 minutes left to play. It marked just the fourth time this season that the Mocs were trailing heading into the fourth quarter.
The Mocs then turned to their two most consistent scorers this season to cross the finish line and take back charge over the Catamounts, as both Guinn and Thompson carried UTC towards a win. The duo would score 14 of Chattanooga's 20 points in the final frame, while scrappy plays from the likes of Addie Grace Porter, Caia Elisaldez and Kailyn Farrell helped the Mocs keep their foot on WCU's throats.
After a couple big time free throws by the Mocs, UTC was able to come out on top with a 69-59 victory over Western Carolina. This continues a stretch where the Mocs have not lost in Cullowhee since 2010.
Guinn's stellar performance led to her scoring a team-high and career-high 30 points in the game, shooting the ball on a 14-for-20 clip. She is the first Moc since Eboni Williams in 2020 to score 30+ points for UTC in a game.
Guinn was joined by both Thompson (18 points) and Porter (12 points) as double-digit scorers. Thompson also brought down a team-high seven boards in the win. Multiple Mocs also showed out defensively, including Jada Guinn matching her season-high in steals with four. Porter, Elisaldez and Sigrun Olafsdottir each grabbed two steals of their own for the Mocs.
FROM THE HEAD COACH | QUOTES
Shawn Poppie, head coach
On his overall thoughts on the team's 69-59 win over WCU.
"Hats off to WCU, I thought they played extremely hard and put us on our heels defensively most of the game. With that said, I'm proud of our team for finding a way to win on the road. Jada and Raven had really impressive offensive performances when we needed them most. Our point guard combination of Caia and Addie Grace created some momentum in both halves I thought. I'd be doing a disservice if I didn't talk about Sigrun. She is our glue that makes so many little plays, a big big part of why this team wins games."
On hosting Wofford and Furman this coming week.
"We will have to be better next weekend with Wofford and Furman coming to town. We will be! Come and show this team some love Chattanooga and all of Moc Nation, it will be a really big weekend in the Roundhouse."
TOP TAKEAWAYS | NOTES
- This marked the 97th meeting all-time between UTC and WCU.
- The Mocs now lead the series 84-13.
- Chattanooga is now 38-6 when playing on the road in Cullowhee.
- UTC has not lost a game in Cullowhee against WCU since February 22, 2010. The Mocs have won the last 13 at WCU since that day.
- Chattanooga moves to a perfect 6-0 record in true road games this season.
- The last time UTC started 6-0 in road games in a season: 1999-2000 season (went on to finish 12-0 on the road that year).
- The last time UTC won six straight true road games in a season: 2014-15 season (10 straight road wins).
- UTC has also now won each of its last six games. The team is undefeated in the 2024 calendar year.
- The Mocs also remain undefeated in SoCon play at 5-0.
- The last time Chattanooga started 5-0 in conference action: 2016-17 season (started 6-0, finished 12-2 overall).
- UTC has now led 17 out of 20 games this season at the half.
- Jada Guinn has scored 10+ points in every game this season for the Mocs (20 games).
- Guinn also notched a 30-point effort for the team. Not only was this a career-high for her, but it's the first time a Moc has scored 30 points in a game since Eboni Williams scored 30 against Georgia State on December 21, 2020.
UP NEXT: WOFFORD & FURMAN
UTC will now return to the Roundhouse for a two-game homestand this coming week, starting first with the Mocs hosting Wofford (11-7, 3-1 SoCon) on Thursday, February 1 for the team's Women in Sports Game. Tipoff against the Terriers is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET with streaming and radio available on ESPN+ or on 96.1 FM/100.3 FM/1070 AM. Chattanooga will then stay put to host Furman (11-9, 1-3 SoCon) on Saturday, February 3 at 2 p.m. ET. That game also marks the program's official 50th Season celebration and reunion.
50 SEASONS OF CHATTANOOGA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
The 2023 season for the Chattanooga women's basketball team marks a major landmark for the program and the university, as UTC women's basketball officially celebrates its 50th season of competition as a university sponsored athletic program. Following the adoption of the Title IX legislation back in 1972, UTC added women's basketball, tennis and volleyball programs to its roster of athletic teams, bringing on five decades of history and success for each of the teams. Chattanooga WBB will be putting on multiple promotions and content pieces throughout the 2023-24 season to celebrate the program's history, culminating in the team hosting its 50th Season Celebration and Reunion during the Mocs' February 3 matchup against Furman at McKenzie Arena.
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