Late run by the Lady Mocs in the second half led to a 75-54 loss for ISU women’s basketball Friday

The Lady Mocs of the University of Tennesse Chatanooga defeated the Sycamores 75-54 Friday night at the Hulman Center.

A 23-2 run late in the second half by the Lady Mocs secured victory for UTC after a highly competitive first half in which the lead changed hands five times.  The loss dropped the Sycamores to 1-2 for the season and the Lady Mocs improved to 2-1.

"We can't hang our heads, there is no time to do that," Head Coach Teri Moren said.

The Sycamores were without two of their veteran players.  Senior guard Taylor Whitley and sophmore guard Anne Munn were withheld from playing due to injuries.  Whitley is out indefinitely and will be in rehab.  Munn is expected to return to action Tuesday.

Senior shooting guard Brittany Schoen led the Sycamores on offense with 16 –points which consisted of four 3-pointers.  Senior center Shannon Thomas recorded a double-double during the game scoring 12 points and getting 11 rebounds.

The Sycamores won the tip off and Schoen knocked down a three-pointer for the first score of the night.

The Lady Mocs retaliated going on an 8-0 run which consisted of two consecutive three-pointers and two free throws.  The run was broken with a steal by freshman guard Natasha Zurek which culminated with a bucket by senior guard and forward Deja Mattox assisted by Schoen.  The game tied again at 8 as Schoen knocked down another three-pointer.  The tied game was broken by the Lady Mocs with a layup  but the Sycamores remained close.  ISU regained the lead once more on a 5-0 beginning with a pair of free throws by freshman forward Rachel Mahan putting the Sycamores up by five points (17-12).

The Lady Mocs remained close but ISU continued to hold the lead.  Consecutive Sycamore turnovers proved costly as the Lady Mocs were able to tie the game at 27, before taking the lead by one off a free throw.  The Sycamores went on a 5-0 run that consisted of another Schoen 3-pointer and free throws by freshman guard Travecia Franklin and gave ISU the lead going into the half 32-28.

At the start of the second half, The Lady Mocs came out pressing in the second half forcing four turnovers in the first two minutes by the Sycamores.  The Lady Mocs went on an 8-0 run giving them the lead 36-32.  

The run was broken by Thomas from the free throw line and the Sycamores changed gears applying their own full court pressure on the Mocs.  The change-up forced UTC turnovers and the Sycamores went on a 7-0 run to regain the lead.  The Lady Mocs broke the run with a 3-pointer, tying the game at 39.  The game tied three more times before the Lady Mocs began to pull away.  In the closing six minutes of the game the Lady Mocs outscored the Sycamores going on a 23-2 run.

"We got to keep our heads up, keep grinding it out and not lose faith," Moren said.

The Sycamores will be back in action Tuesday when they host IUPUI at the Hulman Center.  Tip off is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.