Chattanooga Holds Off Samford to Advance to Women’s SoCon Title Game

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The Chattanooga Mocs out-defended the Samford Bulldogs in a 49-41 win in Friday’s second semifinal at the Southern Conference Women’s Basketball Championship presented by General Shale. Both squads held their opponent to less than 36-percent shooting for the afternoon.

Chattanooga’s Jasmine Joyner narrowly missed a triple-double with 17 points, 13 rebounds and eight blocks. Samford was paced by Kassidy Blevins, who tallied 18 off the bench, nine of which led a key third-quarter charge.

The Mocs came out of the break with a comfortable 29-18 advantage. It was 35-23 when the Bulldogs outscored UTC 15-2 over the remaining 7:39 of the period to take a 38-37 lead into the break. All nine of Blevins’ points capped the spurt before the final frame.

Queen Alford got the Mocs back on track with a layup at 7:25 to wrestle the lead back for the Scenic City ladies, 39-38. It was extended to five, 43-38, when Taylor Reece drilled a 3-pointer to get Samford within two, 43-41, with 5:07 to go.

It was all Chattanooga from there. It clamped down defensively, limiting the Bulldogs to 0-for-5 shooting and forcing four turnovers in their final nine possessions.

Alford tallied 14 points for the Mocs, while Alicia Payne added eight points, four assists and four steals. Amara Meyers chipped in 11 for the Bulldogs.

The championship game is set with regular-season co-champions Mercer and Chattanooga squaring off for the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Championship. The two teams split the season series, with the Bears winning 67-44 in Macon, Ga., on Jan. 21, and the Mocs holding serve on their home court in equally impressive fashion, 67-45 on Feb. 20.

They take a day off before meeting Sunday on ESPN3 at 1 p.m.