CULLOWHEE, N.C. — The Chattanooga women’s basketball team remained atop the Southern Conference standings on Sunday, cruising to a lopsided 70-43 win over Western Carolina.
Senior Kayla Christopher and junior Ashlen Dewart combined for 25 points — each shot 5 of 7 from the field — to lead the Lady Mocs (14-3, 7-1 SoCon), who took the first lead of the game on junior Alex Black’s 3-pointer just 15 seconds in, and they never looked back.
“I like the way we came out with some energy,” Chattanooga coach Wes Moore said. “On the road, it is very important you come out and start off playing well. This team, when they hit threes the defense is better and they have more energy.”
Black, who knocked down a pair of first-half shots from beyond the arc, led UTC with three treys, and the Lady Mocs shot 10 of 26 (38.5 percent) as a team form deep. Christopher, who finished with 12 points, three assists and a steal, hit two from deep, along with junior Meghan Downes.
Chattanooga stretched its advantage to double-digits for the first time on a jumper by Dewart with 4:37 left in the opening period, part of her team’s 13-2 run to close the first half and give the Lady Mocs a 30-16 advantage at the break.
“We shot the 3 well and we hit 8 of 9 free-throws, which has been tough on us,” Moore said. “Forced 18 turnovers and got 12 steals. A lot of people played well. It seemed like everybody we put in there did some things, so that was a plus as well.”
Sophomore Ka’Vonne Towns added seven points, four rebounds and two steals in just 12 minutes of action, Tatianna Jackson had six points, four rebounds and two assists, while Taylor Hall collected five points, four rebounds, four steals and three assists.
The Lady Mocs used a 17-4 second-half run to extend their lead to 54-24, and they led by as much as 36 after a Towns 3-pointer with 7:06 remaining.
Chattanooga was outrebounded by the Lady Catamounts 37-28.
“That was the one thing we probably did not do a very good job of today,” Moore said. “We got outrebounded by nine and gave up 19 offensive boards ... but other than that, we did a lot of good things.”
Lindsay Simpson scored 13 points to lead Western Carolina (4-12, 2-5), and Diamond Hunnicut added eight.
The Lady Mocs return to action Wednesday when the travel to Samford.