University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
East Tennessee State
Women's Basketball Falls in Season Opener, 74-68
11.13.2015 | Women's Basketball
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - The UNC Asheville women's basketball team came up short in its 2015-16 season opener Friday night, falling 74-68 to East Tennessee State inside Brooks Gym. Asheville (0-1) tied the game at 67 late in the fourth quarter, but a 10-4 run by the Buccaneers over the game's final 1:48 proved to be the difference.
Junior Chatori Major led Asheville's offense, pouring in a career-high 16 points including 4-of-5 from behind the arc. All four Bulldog juniors reached double-digit scoring, as Tianna Knuckles pitched in 12 points while KJ Weaver and Ja'Da Brayboy each contributed 10.
The first half was a back-and-forth battle as ETSU took a slight 36-35 lead into the break. The Bucs threatened to pull away in the second quarter, going on a 16-4 run from the 8:23 mark to 3:29 to take a 34-23 lead. Asheville bounced right back, embarking on its own 13-2 run over the final 3:29 to trail by just one at halftime. The Bulldogs' run was aided by a combined 10 points from Knuckles and Major. Asheville's defense was key in the first half, forcing 13 Buc turnovers and converting those turnovers into nine points.
Overall for the game, Asheville forced 20 turnovers including 10 steals. Senior Paige Love accounted for four steals.
In the fourth quarter, ETSU grabbed a five-point lead with 2:53 remaining. On Asheville's next possession, Major knocked down a crucial three-ball from the left wing to trim the lead to two. After a defensive stand on the following sequence, Weaver's defensive rebound and outlet found Love in the open court who dished to Brayboy to tie up the game.
Asheville grabbed a 68-67 lead with 1:22 left when sophomore Khaila Webb knocked down one of two free throws. The Bulldogs finished 13-of-19 (.684) from the line while ETSU was 22-of-34 (.647).
Tianna Tarter recorded the go-ahead bucket with 55 seconds remaining for ETSU on a layup. Asheville's opportunity to take the lead on its next possession was heavily contested in the paint and ETSU was able to knock down 5-of-6 free throws to seal the game.
The Bulldogs remain on the road for their next contest, traveling to Southern Conference opponent Wofford Tuesday night.
Quote
“Tonight's game was a good measuring stick for our team. It showed us some things we need to work on going forward and some positives to build on. It was an experience needed on the road.” – head coach Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick
Notes
- Junior Chatori Major recorded a career-high 16 points on 5-of-15 shooting from the field including 4-of-5 from behind the arc. Major's shot attempts (15), threes made (4) and threes attempted (5), are all career highs. Friday marked the seventh career game in which Major has reached double figure scoring.
- Asheville saw four players reach double-digit scoring.
- Junior KJ Weaver narrowly missed a double-double, contributing 10 points to go along with nine rebounds. She recorded her eighth career game reaching double-digit scoring against ETSU. It was also her 34th career game with five or more rebounds. Her two blocks Friday also marked her 20th career game with two or more blocks.
- Scoring 12 points on Friday, junior Tianna Knuckles tallied her 30th career game recording 10 or more points.
- Junior Ja'Da Brayboy was one assist shy (5) of tying her career-high of six (Nov. 26, 2013). Brayboy's 10 points also marked her seventh career game scoring 10 or more points.
- Asheville is 1-3 in season-opening games under fourth-year head coach Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick.
- Asheville outscored the Bucs 14-5 in fast-break points.
- Three freshmen made their Bulldog debuts Friday night. Sonora Dengokl contributed five points in 12 minutes of action while Jessica Wall had a steal in seven minutes and Kelli Fisher recorded two points and five rebounds in eight minutes.
- Asheville assisted on 13 of its 24 (.542) made field goals including five from Brayboy and four from Khaila Webb.
- Friday's contest featured six ties and nine lead changes.
