UTC forward Jasmine Joyner, right, tries to make room around UNCG forward Jade Scaife during the Mocs’ home basketball game against UNC-Greensboro at McKenzie Arena on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn.The last time the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women’s basketball team lost a game in Southern Conference play, only one current player – senior point guard Alicia Payne – was on the roster.
Since that 70-60 loss at Elon on Jan. 7, 2013, the Mocs (13-5, 4-0) have enjoyed a streak of 61 consecutive SoCon victories in the regular season and tournament combined. They begin what is probably their biggest string of tests since the streak began this evening at Mercer (13-5, 3-0).
Following tonight’s game will be challenges at Samford (10-8, 2-1) on Saturday and at East Tennessee State (11-8, 3-1) on Jan. 30.
Although it hasn’t consumed the Mocs, opponents have taken notice. A headline on UNC Greensboro’s website prior to the game on Jan. 16 read, “Women’s Basketball Looks to Hand Chattanooga first SoCon loss of Season Saturday Afternoon.” The Spartans did hold a fourth-quarter lead before falling 72-61.
“I think sometimes because you have a degree of success, the expectation is for you to dominate these things,” UTC coach Jim Foster said. “The news is that this league is tired of our success, and they are going to play hard every time they play us.”
Wofford led in the third quarter and was tied going into the fourth of its game against Foster’s Mocs on Jan. 7 but was outscored 23-10 in the final period for a 13-point defeat. Furman used a flurry of 3s to cut an 11-point deficit to three in the final minute of the Jan. 9 game, but UTC executed down the stretch for a 56-50 win.
The Mocs’ nonconference schedule included five teams currently projected to make the NCAA tournament field and beat Arkansas State in that group. They also had a preseason scrimmage against Georgia that reportedly went well, so in terms of being battle-tested, the Mocs feel they’re ready for the challenges that lie ahead.
They played a number of close games early in the season, which has helped them in executing down the stretch of SoCon games. The Wofford, Furman and UNCG outcomes have affirmed that.
“I can say these last few conference games brought us closer together,” junior center Jasmine Joyner said. “When it comes tight at the end of games, no one is getting frustrated or getting all worked up, because we’ve been through this.
“We bring each other closer as a team, and we respect one another.”
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