Gilbert sisters lead, but bench helps UTC women win SoCon opener

UTC's Arianne Whitaker (4) struggles between Greensboro's Ije Ajemba (25) and Te'ja Twitty (25). The University of North Carolina Greensboro Trojans visited the University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs in Southern Conference women's basketball action at McKenzie Arena on January 4, 2018. UTC's Arianne Whitaker (4) struggles between Greensboro's Ije Ajemba (25) and Te'ja Twitty (25). The University of North Carolina Greensboro Trojans visited the University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs in Southern Conference women's basketball action at McKenzie Arena on January 4, 2018.

By Gene Henley January 5, 2018 3 min read

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Gilbert sisters lead, but bench helps UTC women win SoCon opener

UTC's Aryanna Gilbert (35) drives to the basket against two Spartans. The University of North Carolina Greensboro Trojans visited the University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs in Southern Conference women's basketball action at McKenzie Arena on January 4, 2018.

UTC's Bria Dial (12) drives past Greensboro's Te'ja Twitty (23). The University of North Carolina Greensboro Trojans visited the University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs in Southern Conference women's basketball action at McKenzie Arena on January 4, 2018.

UTC's Keiana Gilbert shoots during Thursday's Southern Conference opener against UNC Greensboro at McKenzie Arena. Gilbert scored 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Mocs to a 49-42 win.

UTC's Arianne Whitaker (4) struggles to get a shot off between Greensboro's Ije Ajemba (25) and Te'ja Twitty (25). The University of North Carolina Greensboro Trojans visited the University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs in Southern Conference women's basketball action at McKenzie Arena on January 4, 2018.

UTC's Keiana Gilbert (20) pulls up for a jump shot. The University of North Carolina Greensboro Trojans visited the University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs in Southern Conference women's basketball action at McKenzie Arena on January 4, 2018.

UTC's Shelbie Davenport (22) looks for a shot under the basket. The University of North Carolina Greensboro Trojans visited the University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs in Southern Conference women's basketball action at McKenzie Arena on January 4, 2018.

UTC's Arianne Whitaker (4) defends Greensboro's Ije Ajemba (25). The University of North Carolina Greensboro Trojans visited the University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs in Southern Conference women's basketball action at McKenzie Arena on January 4, 2018.

UTC head coach Jim Foster confers with Brooke Burns (23) as she comes off the floor. The University of North Carolina Greensboro Trojans visited the University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs in Southern Conference women's basketball action at McKenzie Arena on January 4, 2018.

UTC freshman Rochelle Lee (32) listens to head coach Jim Foster. The University of North Carolina Greensboro Trojans visited the University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs in Southern Conference women's basketball action at McKenzie Arena on January 4, 2018.

UTC head coach Jim Foster directs his team from the sidelines. The University of North Carolina Greensboro Trojans visited the University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs in Southern Conference women's basketball action at McKenzie Arena on January 4, 2018.

Greensboro head coach Trina Patterson instructs Nadine Soliman (35). The University of North Carolina Greensboro Trojans visited the University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs in Southern Conference women's basketball action at McKenzie Arena on January 4, 2018.

On a night his team’s shots weren’t falling, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women’s basketball coach Jim Foster was able to turn to a couple of things he hadn’t been able to use much this season: depth and freshmen.

The Mocs held UNC Greensboro to 20 percent shooting in the third quarter and led by 14 points in the fourth before settling on a 49-42 win Thursday at McKenzie Arena. It was the Southern Conference opener for both teams.

The UTC women (10-5) will host Western Carolina at 2 p.m. Saturday in the first game of a doubleheader, with the UTC men – who fell 75-63 to Western Carolina on Thursday – hosting East Tennessee State in the nightcap.

Against UNCG (6-10), Keiana Gilbert led the Mocs with 14 points and eight rebounds, while sister Aryanna had 10 points, five rebounds and five assists, but UTC shot only 32 percent from the field for the game. Lakelyn Bouldin, third on the scoring list for the Mocs this season, battled foul trouble in the first half and was held to three points, though others picked up the slack.

Bria Dial scored a career-high nine points, all on 3-pointers – including one she banked in during the first half – and did a good job defensively on Nadine Soliman, UNCG’s leading scorer this season. Soliman finished with 10 points on 3-for-12 shooting.