UTC Women Edge Butler, 60-49

Good production from the bench and a defense which turned turnovers into points (19) propelled UTC to a 60-49 win against visiting Butler Univ. Sunday afternoon in a women’s college basketball game at McKenzie Arena before 1,549 fans.

Junior guard Moses Johnson and sophomore forward Ansley Chilton came off the bench to combine for 10 points, six rebounds and two assists in the first half as UTC led 27-19 at intermission.

After a lack luster first quarter – both teams shooting 33% - the Mocs took over and opened the second quarter with a 16-2 run in just under eight minutes to lead 24-12 shooting 67% (6-9).

Johnson led the way with five points and Red Payne with four and Chilton with three.

The Mocs (2-0) led by as many as 15 in the quarter at 27-12 before Butler (1-1) scored the final seven points.

At intermission, Johnson led the Mocs with seven points and six rebounds followed by Aryanna Gilbert with six points. Tori Schickel led the Bulldogs with 11 points and five boards, while Blaire Langlois tossed in five points

UTC guard Chelsey Shumpert opened the third quarter with a 3-pointer as the Blue and Gold went on a 13-5 run to lead 40-24 at the four minute mark.

But Butler wouldn’t go away as Schickel and Taylor Buford combined for eight points in a 10-0 run to close within six at 40-34 after three.

The Bulldogs came within three at 44-41 on a Blaire Langlois bucket at 8:02 to go in the fourth, but an offensive rebound, basket and a free throw by Johnson made it 47-41 at 5:40 and a 3–pointer by Shumpert made it 52-43 at 3:04.

“Moses is playing well and is light years ahead of where she was as a freshman and plays with a lot of patience,” said UTC coach Jim Foster.

Aryanna Gilbert’s final basket with 26 seconds remaining put the Mocs up by 11 at 60-49.

“We didn’t have a great start in the first quarter, but we have depth and Moses and Ansley were keys off the bench,” Foster stated.

Jas Joyner (starting center) got her second foul late in the first quarter and Foster replaced her with Chilton.

According to Foster, Chilton gives the Mocs that solid backup center that the team didn’t have a year ago.

“We also defended the 3-point line well today which is one of our strengths,” Foster stated.

The Bulldogs shot 50% (5-10) from beyond the arc in the 72-53 season-opening win against Valparaiso Friday and shot only 3 of 12 (25%) today.

 Cold Start: After shooting 33.3% in the opening quarter, the Mocs were 7 of 12 (58.3%) in the second quarter and finished at 46.9% (23-49) while Butler finished at 37.5 FG% (18-48).

What’s Next: The Mocs pack for a week and leave Monday for a Tuesday quarterfinal game in the WNIT at Indiana U. The winner moves to the semifinals most likely Thursday and the championship game is next weekend.’

More Games: UTC is at Tennessee Monday Nov.23, at home Wed. Nov. 25 (6:30 p.m.) vs. Arkansas State and home Sat. Nov. 28 (2 p.m.) vs. UT-Martin.

UConn Here Nov. 30.  The three-time defending NCAA champions play here Nov. 30 at 6:30 p.m.

Stats:

Points: UTC Moses Johnson (12), Keiana Gilbert (11), Aryanna Gilbert (11)

Butler: Tpri Schickel (17), Blaire Langlois (16)

Rebounds: UTC Moses Johnson (9, 4 of those were off. Rebs), Keiana Gilbert (6, 4 of those were off rebs)

Butler: Brittany Ward (8), Tori Schickel (7)

Points: UTC, 60-49

FG%: UTC (46.9%) Butler 37.5%)

FT% UTC (57.9%  11-19), Butler (62.5%, 10-16)

3-Pointers: UTC (27.3%, 3-11), Butler (25%, 3-12)

Points in the Paint: UTC, 38-28

Points Off Turnovers: UTC, 19-11

2^nd Chance Points: UCT, 13-11

Fast Break Points: UTC, 8-2

Bench Points: Butler, 23-19

 

contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net