Strong stretch helps UTC women move to 4-0 in conference play [photos]

UTC's Jasmine Joyner grabs a rebound between Western Carolina's Nikki Johnson, left, and Sherae Bonner, right, during Thursday night's SoCon game at McKenzie Arena. The Mocs won 67-46. UTC's Jasmine Joyner grabs a rebound between Western Carolina's Nikki Johnson, left, and Sherae Bonner, right, during Thursday night's SoCon game at McKenzie Arena. The Mocs won 67-46.

By Gene Henley January 20, 2017 3 min read

Photo Gallery

Strong stretch helps UTC women move to 4-0 in SoCon

UTC's Keiana Gilbert shoots as Western Carolina's Sherae Bonner, left, guards Thursday, January 19, 2017 at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

UTC's Jasmine Joyner is guarded by Western Carolina's Sherae Bonner Thursday, January 19, 2017 at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

UTC's Jasmine Joyner is guarded by Western Carolina's Angel Allen Thursday, January 19, 2017 at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

UTC's Chelsey Shumpert is guarded by Western Carolina's Tembre Moates Thursday, January 19, 2017 at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

UTC coach Wes Moore, left, talks with Sydney Vanlandingham during the game against Western Carolina Thursday, January 19, 2017 at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

UTC's Keiana Gilbert shoots as Western Carolina's Sherae Bonner, left, and JonTay Mitchem defend Thursday, January 19, 2017 at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Western Carolina coach Stephanie McCormick yells to her team during the game against UTC Thursday, January 19, 2017 at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

For about 13 minutes Thursday, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women’s basketball team was really good.

And on that night, that was good enough.

UTC fell behind early but used two big runs to take control in the first half and went on to beat Western Carolina 67-46 in front of 1,498 at McKenzie Arena. The win was the fifth straight for the Mocs, who improved to 4-0 in Southern Conference play with Saturday’s 2 p.m. home game against UNC Greensboro next.

Queen Alford led UTC (10-8) with 12 points, including 10 in the second half, Lakelyn Bouldin scored 11 and the Gilbert sisters – Aryanna and Keiana – had 10 each.

Jasmine Joyner had 11 rebounds to move past Taylor Hall (2010-14) and into eighth place all-time at UTC, and she also had six points, five blocks and two steals. Joyner entered the game with 808 career rebounds; Hall finished her time at UTC with 814.