BOX SCORE AND PLAY-BY-PLAY
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. --- Shanara Hollinquest and LaCondra Mason combined for 35 points to lead the Lady Mocs to a 71-52 win over Akron Friday night at the DoubleTree Classic at the McKenzie Arena.
Hollinquest posted a game-high 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the win and Mason knocked down a career-best 17 points with six rebounds and four steals. Jenaya Wade-Fray had a team-best nine boards with six points and three assists.
Mason scored the Lady Mocs' first basket of the game on the opening tip, but Akron rebounded to outscore Chattanooga 12-2 for their largest lead of the game with just over five minutes gone at 12-8.
The Lady Mocs bounced back to retake the lead on a 10-0 run capped off by a layup from Mason with 11:28 to play in the first half. The game would bounce back and forth the remainder of the half with three more ties and the Zips would carry a 25-23 lead into the halftime break.
To start the second half, Mason tied the game then forced a turnover and made the assist to Bailey Dewart that gave the Lady Mocs a 27-25 lead and Chattanooga would never trail the rest of the game.
Chattanooga evened its record at 2-2 overall while Akron fell to 1-3 on the year.
Chattanooga shot just 32 percent from the floor in the first half making 8-of-25, but went 20-for-35 in the second half, outscoring the Zips 48-27. Akron was 21-of-57 from the field led by Kara Murphy's team-best 11 points and eight rebounds. Jolene Tamboue had a game-high 11 boards with six on the offensive end.
Chattanooga's bench contributed 28 points in the win and the Lady Mocs scored 24 points off 20 Zip turnovers.
In game one of the DoubleTree Classic, Richmond outlasted Troy to advance to the Championship game on Saturday. The Spiders improved to 5-0 overall while Troy leveled its mark at 2-2 on the season.
Richmond landed three players in double-figures led by Brittani Shells 19 points that. She was 7-of-13 with four 3-pointers with four assists and four steals. Johanna McKnight had 12 points and Danielle Bell chipped in 11 with six boards.
The Trojans outrebounded Richmond 39-37 and were led by Donette McNair's 15 points and 12 rebounds. Kylie Morrissey, also with 15 points, was the only other Troy player in double figures.
Troy will take on Akron in the 3 p.m. Consolation Game Saturday and the Lady Mocs will host the Spiders' who are in the midst of a five game win streak in the Championship game set to tip off at 5 p.m.
Call the McKenzie Arena box office at 423-266-MOCS (6627) for tickets or go online to the official website of Chattanooga athletics at GoMocs.com.
NOTES:
? Kori Penland (Chickamauga, Ga.) and Capriee Tucker (Fort Payne, Ala.) made their collegiate debut in tonight's game.
? LaCondra Mason scored a career-high 17 points
? Chattanooga will advance to the Championship game for the second straight year. Last year, the Lady Mocs fell to Louisville in the final.
