UTC stayed in the vicinity throughout much of the game with Ohio Valley Conference champ Belmont, but faded down the stretch. Chattanooga lost 63-50 in the season opener at Nashville on Wednesday night. It was 35-30 at the half.
Belmont (1-0) used an 11-1 run in the fourth quarter to open up its largest lead of the game, 59-45 with 5:00 to play.
"I am looking at the stat sheet and everything on here suggests that we gave ourselves a chance to win the ballgame,” head coach Katie Burrows said. “They shot a few more free throws than we did, in fact they made four more points off free throws. We actually got four more shots off than they did, they just made four more than we did.”
Ellie Harmeyer had 22 rebounds to go with 20 points for Belmont.
The Mocs were led by senior guard Lakelyn Bouldin, who scored 21. Nakeia Burks had 12 - all in the first half. Post player Abbey Cornelius had nine points and seven rebounds.
Eboni Williams, a team leader last season, did not score after getting into early foul trouble and seeing limited action.
UTC was out-rebounded 41-27.
Belmont shot 44 percent from the field, while UTC was at 34 percent.
Faces in the crowd included UTC football coach Rusty Wright and wife. Their daughter, Maddie, saw action for Belmont. Coach Wright sported a Belmont cap and UTC sweatshirt.
Saturday will be UTC’s home opener. The Mocs will host Hampton in the first game of a double header with the men’s team who will take on Tennessee State. The game is set to tip off at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are available online at GoMocs.com or at the McKenzie Arena box office.