Box Score

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Western Carolina women's basketball dropped its first Southern Conference road game of the season 83-52 to Chattanooga Saturday at McKenzie Arena.

The Catamounts fall to 8-10 overall and dipping to 0-3 in the SoCon. Chattanooga wins its 11th straight improving to 15-3 overall and 3-0 in conference play.

Chattanooga started the scoring early and often quickly building an 11-2 lead, after the first media timeout, shooting over 60 percent from the field.

Western Carolina did get a scoring spurt midway through the game cutting the Lady Mocs' lead to 27-20. A pair of three-pointers by Makensey Campbell and a two field goals by Justin Taylor helped WCU trim the Mocs' lead to seven.

Chattanooga muscled back ahead of Western Carolina off a 15-to-2 run, 42-22, with 3:34 remaining. The Lady Mocs enjoyed a 47-28 lead at the half.

Chattanooga shot a scorching 54.5 percent from the field and had nine steals in the first half forcing 14 Western Carolina turnovers. The Catamounts had an admirable shooting percentage of 42.3 percent (11-of-26) but struggled to overcome the 14 turnovers.

The second-half all but mirrored with Chattanooga continuing its hot shooting ways. The Lady Mocs ended the game shooting 54.4 percent from the field, a season best against WCU for an opponent, and hitting nine three pointers.

Western Carolina shot 41.2 percent from the field but committed 18 turnovers equating to 20 Chattanooga points. In the turnover department, Western Carolina did cut down on its turnovers committing just four in the second half.

The Lady Mocs also won the rebounding battle 33-26. The Catamounts were edged by Chattanooga in scoring, 36-24, in the second half.

The Catamounts were led by Taylor with 13 points. The Lady Mocs had five players score in double figures with Chelsey Shumpert leading Chattanooga with 15 points. Shumpert also dished out a career-high nine assists.

Western Carolina continues its Southern Conference road swing playing at Samford Monday. The game will tip-off at 2 p.m. EDT.