Dec. 19, 2008 (Cancun, Mexico) - In the opening game of the Caribbean Classic, the USF women's basketball team dropped a 75-52 decision to Tennessee-Chattanooga at the Moon Resort in Cancun, Mexico. The game between the Dons (3-8) and the Lady Mocs (8-4), a NCAA Tournament team from a year go, was played in the "BasketballRoom", a grand ballroom at the Resort that has been converted to a basketball arena for the event. The Dons opened the game, jumping out to a slight lead. At 15:45 USF held an 8-6 advantage, before Chattanooga took off on a 12-4 run, taking the lead 16-8. The Lady Mocs continued to roll through the first half and took a 40-25 lead into the locker rooms at halftime. In the second half, Chattanooga continued its edge and never relinquished its lead. Senior center Necolia Simmons paced the Dons on the afternoon with 14 points, a team-high six rebounds, a block and two steals. Thanks to 11 points by senior guard Shay Rollins, she has scored double-digits in all 11 games this season. The USF bench accounted for 16 points during the contest, led by a career-high 11 points, five rebounds and two steals by freshman forward Katy Keating. Senior guard Alexis Musante added five points off the bench for the Dons. Junior guard Danesha Wright added seven points, while freshman guard Rheina Ale and junior forward Nnenna Okereke each recorded two. The Dons shot .328 on the afternoon, while the Lady Mocs posted a .509 clip, including .474 from beyond the arc. Chattanooga was led by Jenaya Wade-Fray, who scored a game-high 18 points with four steals, three assists and three rebounds.
San Francisco will continue Caribbean Classic action Saturday when they face off with Stephan F. Austin at 11 a.m. PT at the Moon Palace Resort in Cancun, Mexico. Following the game with the Lady Jacks, USF will take a break for the Holidays before returning to the Hilltop to take on Iona on New Years Eve at 2 p.m. at War Memorial Gym. |
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