UTC coach Jim Foster (right) in post-game interview with UTC play-by-play announer Larry Ward
photo by David Carroll
"Defense kept us in the game and our fans are great!."
UTC sophomore Moses Johnson after the 54-46 win.
The giant killer has done it again.
Relying on hustle, determination, key 3-pointers and 10 made free throws down the stretch the Chattanooga Mocs defeated visiting No.7 Stanford women 54-46 Wednesday at McKenzie Arena.
Playing before 2,128 cheering fans, the Mocs (7-3) registered their second win of the young season over a top 10 team, having beaten No.4 Tennessee 67-63 the day before Thanksgiving.
Sophomore guard Chelsey Shumpert led all players with 18 (also had 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal), while Moses Johnson added 10, and Jas Joyner had nine points and 11 boards.
Leading by one at half, 29-28, UTC extended that lead to 10 at 44-34 at 11:26 on a jumper by freshman Keiana Gilbert.
Little did either team know, the Mocs would not score another basket the remainder of the game (0 for 12 from the field), but used strong defense and made 10 of 12 rebounds to post the victory.
Within 3: The Cardinal pulled within 3 at 47-44 on a 3-point play by Karlie Samuelson and back to three again with 36 seconds remaining by sister Bonnie Samuelson's two free throws (49-46), but Shumpert made 3 of 4 free throws and Towns was perfect on a pair of charity tosses in the final 30 seconds to ice the win (and was 4 of 4 in the final 50 seconds).
UTC was in the free throw bonus for the final 3:35 and the Mocs made seven of the final eight, while UTC only had made three fouls in the final 20 minutes,
First Half: Stanford led early at 8-2 on a jumper by Amber Orrange, but the Mocs battled back on a pair of 3-pointers by Shumpert and Ka'Vonne Towns to tie it at 8-8 at 14:27.
UTC took the lead for good at 14-12 (9:06) on a Destiny Bramlett 3-pointer.
Thanks to a combined 13 off the bench points from Bramlett and Johnson, the Mocs had its largest lead of the half at 27-18 at 3:50.
But the Cardinal outscored the hosts 10-5 down the stretch as the Mocs were up 29-28 at intermission.
The Cardinal shot an uncharacteristic 32.4% from the field in the first 20 minutes as compared to its season average of 46.3%. UTC shot 36.7% in first half and 42% from the field.
Stanford (6-3) led in rebounds, 49-34 (including 22-9 on the offensive glass), but the Mocs outscored the California team 18-6 on points off turnovers, had fewer turnovers (15-10) and more steals (8-5).
The Cardinal was led by Lili Thompson with nine points and five rebounds, while Erica Payne contributed six points and four boards, one assist and two steals.
"Our defense has to lead us and it did tonight," said UTC coach Jim Foster. "Our defense couldn't have played much better."
Jasmine led all players with five blocks and teammate Ka'vonne Towns led everyone with three steals.
"The UTC players are very aggressive as they got right up into our shooters and were able to take away opportunities for good looks at 3-pointers," said Stanford coach Tara Vanderveer.
In a battle of a pair of Women's Basketball Hall of Famers, the personal series is now tied, 1-1.
More Good D: Coach Foster noted the Mocs have held every opponent under its season scoring average except Notre Dame ... Irish beat UTC, 88-53 ... Stanford was averaging 80.6 points a game prior to tonight.
It's Been a Long Time: The last loss by a Stanford team to an unranked, non-conference opponent was at St.Mary's (Calif.) Nov. 17, 2000.
Raining 3s: UTC's 9, 3s were the second most this season behind 11 made at UT-Martin ...
"We had some defensive lapses and we let them hit too many 3s," stated Stanford's Erica Payne.
Coach Foster Comments:
Playing a Nationally-Ranked Team: "When you play a team you are suppose to beat, you might play hard for 25 minutes. When you play a top 10 team such as Stanford you have to play hard for all 40 minutes."
Ka'vonne Hits FTs: When the game was on the line, Ka'vonne hit the free throws and that was big time. She was 1 of 9 from the field tonight, but made all four free throws when we needed her to."
Chattanooga 54, Stanford 46
Stanford 28 - 18 -- 46
UTC 29 -25 -- 54
Attendance: 2,218
Stats:
Points in the Paint: Stanford, 20-12
Points Off Turnovers UTC, 18-6
2nd Chance Points: Stanford, 14-7
Fast Break Points UTC, 4-0
Bench Points: Stanford 15-14
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net