University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women's basketball coach Katie BurrowsThe University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women's basketball team lost 75-49 to fourth-ranked Louisville on Friday at McKenzie Arena.
The Mocs (1-1) return to competition Monday at Hampton.
Louisville (2-0) took control of the game with a 30-10 advantage in the third quarter, shooting 77 percent from the field while limiting the Mocs to four baskets on 12 shots. UTC also had five turnovers in the period. Louisville senior Asia Durr, an All-American last season, scored 14 of her game-high 24 points in the third, including a 3-pointer at the buzzer to make it 58-31 entering the final period.
Here are three takeaways from the game:
Durr is good
The 5-foot-10 shooting guard had a slow start, with two points in the first quarter and 10 by halftime, but she exploded in the third by making all eight of her shots - three 3-pointers and five free throws. The lefty chipped in four rebounds and three assists as she helped ignite the Cardinals' offense.
Mocs are scrappy
Despite UTC's shooting struggles against the Cardinals, one thing first-year Mocs head coach Katie Burrows should be pleased with is her players' effort. The Mocs forced 20 turnovers and made things difficult for the 2018 national runners-up despite falling behind by 28.
Shooting must improve
For the Mocs to reach their goals for the season, they'll have to improve from 3-point range. Through two games against completely different levels of competition - the Mocs played Division II program Lee in their opener Tuesday - UTC is 5-for-27 from 3-point range. That's not going to result in wins on a regular basis.
For more coverage, check back later and read Saturday's Times Free Press.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenley3.