Chattanooga women’s basketball Head Coach Wes Moore will get a look at his abbreviated lineup Thursday as UTC is set to host Lee University in a preseason exhibition game at the McKenzie Arena.
Lee is the four-time defending Southern States Association Conference (SSAC) regular season champions. The Lady Flames defeated Berry College in the SSAC finals to advance to the NAIA tournament and made it to the Elite Eight. Lee Head Coach Marty Rowe returns all five starters including SSAC All-Conference performer junior guard Brooke McKinnon and two key reserves.
Sophomore Angela Spann, sister of former UTC forward Kristen Spann, will likely start for the Lady Flames. Spann was second on the team in 3-pointers made with 50 and averaged 2.5 rebounds per game. McKinnon led Lee with 17.1 points per game with 34 3-pointers and dished out a team-best 100 assists.
The Lady Mocs will begin defense of their 10th consecutive Southern Conference title this season on the road at East Tennessee State. Moore returns three starters from last season’s championship squad including SoCon Player of the Year Shanara Hollinquest and all-conference performer Jenaya Wade-Fray.
Hollinquest led the league in scoring, averaging 16.5 points per game and field goal percentage at 51.3 percent. Wade-Fray was fifth in the league in scoring last year with 13.0 points per game and 65 3-pointers.
The Lady Mocs open the year on the road in back-to-back games at East Tennessee State and Austin Peay. UTC’s home opener will Nov. 19 against Georgia at the Roundhouse.
Tickets are on sale online at GoMocs.com or call the McKenzie Arena box office at 423-266-6627.