If you're looking for a bright spot from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women's basketball team's 62-45 loss to Eastern Kentucky on Friday afternoon, good luck.
In their visit to McKenzie Arena, the Colonels didn't do anything special to challenge UTC, but their defensive style allowed the Mocs to settle on offense. UTC fired away outside the arc, usually with bad shots. The Mocs also turned the ball over, a recurring problem this season for a team that is now 2-4 but was going for its third win in four games.
That complacency then bled over to the defensive end of the court, where the Mocs were consistently outhustled, sometimes in key rebounding situations, as loose balls went to the Colonels instead of UTC.
The Mocs won't have to wait long for a chance to bounce back - they're set to play Sunday and Monday in Atlanta at the Georgia State Classic, facing Georgia Southern first and then the host Panthers - but third-year head coach Katie Burrows' team is reeling.
Tuesday's comeback victory at Austin Peay seemed to be a feel-good win, but Burrows called it "lucky" after Friday's game. Falling behind by 20 twice in a game while turning it over 23 times, which was the case against Eastern Kentucky, isn't a recipe for long-term success in any sport. With Friday's miscues factored in, the Mocs have averaged 20.5 turnovers per game.
UTC also hoisted 31 attempts from 3-point range - and made just six - and was 8-for-24 inside the arc.
"That's their game plan," Burrows said of the Colonels. "They zone up and take their chances that people aren't going to shoot the ball well, and guess what? Going into the game we weren't shooting the ball well; why would you guard us out there?"
Eboni Williams had 14 points and nine rebounds to lead the Mocs. Amaria Pugh scored 10 points, but no Moc who played more than 15 minutes had fewer than three turnovers.
The Colonels (3-2) had just one player who scored in double digits, with Jayla Johnson adding seven rebounds to her 18-point performance.
Mocs star
One could say the term "star" is questionable after Friday's performance, but Williams did exhibit a level of energy against the Colonels. Her rebounding total - which included three offensive boards - was a season high, and her scoring total matched her best. She also had three steals, sharing team honors in that category with Bria Dial.
Key stat
In the game-changing second quarter, the Mocs took 14 shots; 11 of them were 3s, and they made just one.
Turning point
The disappointing thing about the Mocs' second-quarter futility was that defensively, they played well enough in that period to have been in the game if they had showed any sort of offensive pulse. The Colonels shot just 20% from the field in the quarter yet added six points to stretch their lead to 15 because they got to the foul line, making seven of 11 attempts.
Quotable
"Our kids like each other, but they're too nice to each other. I just remember back to opportunities when I was playing and you had to tell your teammates that this flat-out isn't acceptable. And if you can't get on board, then maybe you should hit the door. We can't be a team and we can't function as a team if we're all about ourselves. That's what someone has to be able to say." - Burrows on the Mocs' lack of leadership
Final thought
As of Friday, the Mocs lack a leader. Burrows said she feels there could be someone who emerges, but "it hasn't been shown yet." A coach will always have to bear some sort of responsibility after a performance like this one, but there are times when someone who is on the court has to take command. The Mocs are fighters when things are down, but on a number of occasions this season they've been up and unable to hold on to their advantage. Someone needs to right the ship, and soon.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenley3.