Freshman Raven Thompson led five scorers in double figures as Chattanooga handed ETSU its second road loss of the season, beating the Bucs 73-62 Saturday afternoon at The McKenzie Arena in Southern Conference women’s basketball action.
Thompson went 8-of-8 from the charity stripe, nailed her single attempt beyond the arc and dished out a career-best five assists. Joining her in double digits was Yazz Wazeerud-Din with 16 points, Addie Grace Porter added 13 and Abbey Corenlius and Sigrun Olafsdottir chipped in 10 apiece.
The Mocs led wire-to-wire getting out to a 7-0 lead to start the game.
UTC only allowed one free throw for the Bucs through the first 4:48 of play, leading 11-1 before ETSU ripped the nets in the first quarter.
While the Mocs shot 53.8 percent in the opening period, making 7-of-13 including three from deep, the Bucs struggled with just a pair of baskets, shooting 2-of-12 (16.7) in the first, but was 4-of-5 from the line.
The Bucs pulled closer in the second, edging UTC 16-14 in the period and trailing 33-22 at the break.
Chattanooga came out on fire in the third quarter, lighting up the nets for 24 more points and stretching its lead to 16, its largest of the game, 57-41 heading into the fourth. Porter scored 11 of her 13 points in the frame making all three of her attempts from 3-point range while snatching four rebounds.
ETSU made a push in the fourth outscoring the Mocs 21-16, but were unable to cut into the double-digit lead.
Chattanooga had its second-best shooting performance of the year making 50 percent (25-50) from the field while matching its season-best for 3-pointers with nine.
The Mocs were led on the boards by Porter for the 10th time this season. She had a game-high eight and UTC outrebounded the Bucs 32-22. Chattanooga had no trouble sharing the ball with a season-best 17 assists. Thompson dished out five and Porter had four while Cornelius and Olafsdottir had three apiece.
ETSU was led by Jiselle Thomas’ 19 points. Also in double figures for the Bucs was Jakhyia Davis with 15, Nevaeh Brown had 13 and Kendall Folley added 10.
Chattanooga improves to 13-10 overall and 5-3 against the league while ETSU moves to 17-7 on the year and 4-4 in SoCon play.
Chattanooga travels to Mercer on Feb. 9 and then to Samford on Feb. 11.