Wildcat Women's Fearless Effort Comes Up Just Short at Chattanooga, 70-65
2/5/2007 1:24:32 PM | Women's Basketball
Gavin McFarlin -- Assistant SID
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- With just nine players suited up, the Davidson Wildcats placed three of them in double figures, but their relentless effort against Chattanooga came up just short in their bid to snap a 15-game losing streak to the Mocs, dropping a 70-65 decision to UTC on Monday evening at McKenzie Arena in Southern Conference women's basketball action. For the first time all season, the Wildcats have dropped two straight, falling to 18-6 overall and 9-4 in league play. Chattanooga remained in a first-place tie with Western Carolina at 11-2 in league play and improved to 18-6 overall.
Alex Anderson led the Lady Mocs attack with a game-high 29 points on 12-of-15 shooting and 5-for-6 from the charity stripe. She scored 12 of those points in the first half and opened the second half netting 10 of Chattanooga's first 16 points.
Sophomore Kelly Gassie (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) led a second-half charge by the Wildcats after trailing by four at halftime, 36-32. She answered Anderson's 10 second half points, with nine of her own, including a three-ball at the top of the key that brought Davidson to within two, 52-50, at the 8:52 mark. Gassie, who had scored only 13 points combined in her past five contests, went off for a season-high tying 15 points in a season-best 28 minutes off the bench.
After Chattanooga went up 58-53, freshman Monica Laune (Ashland, Neb.) came off the bench to hit two back-to-back clutch shots, a layup and a three-pointer on the right wing, pulling the Wildcats even, 58-58, for the first time since the opening period.
Shortly after Chattanooga pulled ahead again, redshirt junior Katie Hamilton (Lilburn, Ga.) brought the 'Cats right back, knotting the score once more, this time at 63-all, with her third three-ball of the game and just 1:30 left on the clock.
Then after an Anderson field goal on the Mocs' next possession, Gassie saw her pull-up jumper in the lane roll just off the rim, forcing Davidson to foul with under a minute to go. Four Laura Hall free throws later, the Mocs had the advantage and there was not enough time left to overcome the deficit for Davidson as it dropped the 70-65 decision.
A sizzling 7-of-11 shooting performance from the floor, including a 4-for-4 display from three-land, in the early stages of the first half assisted the Wildcats in jumping out to an 18-11 advantage at the 13:55 mark. Senior Jessica Mitchell (Wilkesboro, N.C.) and Hamilton showcased their sharp-shooting eye by nailing two three-pointers each on their way to a combined 16 first half points. Mitchell closed out the game with 12 points, while hauling in five boards and dishing out five assists. Hamilton was the third Wildcat to reach double figures, concluding with 11 points.
After Chattanooga took a 24-20 lead, Davidson tied it at 24-all on two Mercedes Robinson (Mansfield, Texas) free throws, but later an Alex Anderson bucket with 1:17 left in the half allowed Chattanooga to go into halftime with a 36-32 lead. Robinson had a team-best eight boards to go along with her eight points for the Wildcats.
Davidson's defense did its job against Chattanooga's three-point shooters, holding the Mocs to a 4-of-20 shooting performance after the Mocs went for a school-record tying 15 in the last meeting. The Wildcats on the other hand had one of its better games from behind the line, finishing 7-of-17 for a 41.2 percent clip.
Davidson returns home for the first of its final two home games of the season. The Wildcats will host Georgia Southern this Saturday, Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. at it will be their Senior Day. Seniors Brynn Kelly, Mitchell and Tia Washington will be honored before the game.
