Jasmine JoynerThe University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women's basketball team, ranked No. 18 in the nation, improved to 26-3 on the season Saturday with a 64-42 win over East Tennessee State.
A crowd of 3,309, 13th-largest in UTC's history, watched the Mocs complete their second consecutive undefeated Southern Conference regular season by holding the Bucs (19-10, 11-3) scoreless for the first 5:55 of the game, building a 15-0 lead. They then ended the half on a 7-0 run, holding ETSU scoreless for the final 3:56 of the half and going into the break ahead 31-13.
The Bucs never got closer than 14 in the second half.
Jasmine Joyner and Ka'Vonne Towns had 14 points each to lead the Mocs. Joyner added 14 rebounds for her sixth double-double of the season, and her two blocks gave her 118 on the season, breaking the Southern Conference record.
Chelsey Shumpert had nine points, while Alicia Payne finished with three points, while her 11 assists and seven steals set career highs in each category.
Maria Bond had a team-high 11 points for the Bucs. Shamauria Bridges added 10.
The Mocs next play Friday in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament against UNC Greensboro in Asheville, N.C.
For full story, read Sunday's Times Free Press.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.