Three-pointers have been a key ingredient in the success of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women’s basketball team during the past 10-plus seasons. However, amounts vary from game to game and season to season.
“We like for all of our players to be able to shoot it,” UTC coach Wes Moore said.
The Lady Mocs hold the Southern Conference record for 3-pointers in a season with 257, set in the 2006-07 season. This season’s Lady Mocs (15-6, 10-2) won’t threaten that mark, but UTC has made 145 heading into today’s game against Elon (8-13, 3-9) at McKenzie Arena.
Senior Jenaya Wade-Fray has 191 career 3s, the third most in school history behind Katasha Brown (21-6) and Brooke Hand (315). Hand and Brown and first and second, respectively, all-time in the SoCon and Wade-Fray has moved up to fifth.
Wade-Fray has attempted 122 of UTC’s 446 3-pointers this season.
“It feels really good,” Wade-Fray said of of getting on a 3-pointer hot streak. “It kind of boosts your confidence, and if you’re making shots other aspects of your game are getting better or you’re playing harder because you’re feeling good.”
The Lady Mocs have won 10 straight games, and they kept that streak going with a 78-72 win at Wofford on Monday thanks in large part to their 3-point proficiency. The Lady Mocs shot 12-for-27 from 3-point range, including 7-for-13 in the second half.
Forward Michelle Davis led the way with a career-best four 3s, Kayla Christopher hit three and Wade-Fray made two. In all, six UTC players made at least one 3-pointer.
The Lady Mocs’ offense starts with Shanara Hollinquest in the paint, but Moore said if that option isn’t available then all of UTC’s players have the green light to shoot a 3 if it’ open.
Even Hollinquest will shoot from long range from time to time, though she’s 2-for-12 this season after making 9 of 19 attempts last season.
“I’d much rather be in the paint shooting down there instead of outside where Wade-Fray does her damage,” said Hollinquest, who leads the SoCon in scoring with 17.4 points per game.
As a team this season, UTC is shooting 32.5 percent on 3s, down slightly from last season’s mark of 34.1. Today, the Lady Mocs will face an Elon squad that is second in the league in 3-point defense, holding opponents to 29.7 percent shooting from 3-point range.