UTC women lose at home, now 1-3

Poor shooting in the first half contributed to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women’s struggles in a 78-55 loss to Murray State on Friday night at McKenzie Arena.

UTC, still more than six weeks away from its Southern Conference opener, is 1-3 after facing four teams from the Ohio Valley Conference. Game number five is at 7 p.m. Tuesday at ASUN member Kennesaw State (1-3), with the Mocs’ next home game on Nov. 27 against Georgia State. That 1:30 p.m. women’s game will be followed by the UTC men facing College of Charleston at 4.

The Mocs trailed 39-24 on Friday after making just nine of 32 shots in the first half, and even a 10-for-17 showing in the third quarter wasn’t enough as the hot-shooting Racers (3-1) were 8-for-15 in the period.

UTC had only 11 turnovers — two days after committing 26 while defeating Tennessee State in Nashville — but the bigger issue was defense. The Racers shot 52% from the field and were 7-of-12 from 3-point range. It was the third time this season an opponent has made at least seven 3s against the Mocs, who are 0-3 in those games. Conversely, UTC is 1-0 when it makes at least that many, knocking down eight against Tennessee State.

UTC’s Abbey Cornelius scored a gamehigh 19 points and was matched in the team high for both rebounds (six) and assists (four) by freshman guard Addie Porter, who added 16 points and five steals. Freshman forward Leah Jones also had six rebounds, while Destiny McClendon scored nine points and Sigrun Olafsdottir chipped in seven.

Murray State was led by 18 points apiece from Alexis Burpo and Macey Turley.