KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - A depleted University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women's basketball team fell 91-41 to seventh-ranked Tennessee Monday at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Now 2-12, the Mocs finish the non-conference season Thursday at Jacksonville State. They played Monday's contest without the services of starting guard Dena Jarrells and forward Karsen Murphy, who missed due to non-COVID-19 illnesses. That left UTC with just nine players against the taller, faster and stronger Lady Vols (11-1), who jumped out to a 22-5 lead after a quarter and never looked back.
Amaria Pugh led the way for the Mocs with 17 points, the most in her Division I career. Destiny McClendon finished with nine and Brooke Hampel had seven. Abbey Cornelius, who played at nearby Hardin Valley, finished with a team-high seven rebounds but had only three points, while Sigrun Olafsdottir didn't score but had six rebounds and a team-high four assists.
Turnovers plagued the Mocs, who finished with 21, which turned into 24 Lady Vols points.
"The bottom line is that they (Tennessee) knocked down shots, and we did not. However, I feel like my group stayed true to who they are and they fought just like they have the entire season and never backed down," UTC head coach Katie Burrows said. "I'm thankful to say they continued to fight and battle through all the adversity. Even though we weren't shooting it well, we still managed to battle."
Tennessee also finished with 60 points in the paint and 15 second-chance points. The team - which played without leading scorer Jordan Horston due to a non-COVID-19 illness - was led by Tamari Key, who had 18 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in just 16 minutes of action. Alexus Dye added 15 and Karoline Striplin chipped in 12 off the bench.
The Lady Vols begin Southeastern Conference play Thursday at home against Alabama (9-2).
- Compiled by Gene Henley
Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / UTC head coach Katie Burrows directs the Mocs. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Mocs hosted the University of Alabama Crimson Tide in Women's basketball at McKenize Arena on December 5, 2021.