Women's Basketball Southern Conference

UTC Women's Basketball Schedule Announced

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- For the third consecutive season, the Chattanooga
Lady Mocs will open their basketball season with a perennial national
power, and for the second straight season the game will be played at
McKenzie Arena.

Chattanooga coach Wes Moore said the Lady Mocs' 2002-03 schedule is "the
toughest we've had since I've been here." The slate opens with a home date
against Georgia in the 11,218-seat Roundhouse. Two years ago, UTC opened at
Louisiana Tech and last season the Tennessee Lady Vols opened UTC's season
in front of a record crowd of 9,113. This season's home schedule also
includes non-conference games with George Mason, Troy State and Samford.

In addition, Chattanooga plays a pair of tournaments at Alabama-Birmingham
(Nov. 29-30 with UAB, Mercer and Alabama State) and in Honolulu (Dec. 20-21
with Texas Tech, Loyola Marymount and Hawaii). UTC also plays at Conference
USA member Louisville on Dec. 15.

"We'll have our work cut out to have our heads above water going into
conference play," said Moore, who is entering his fifth season. "We open up
with Georgia, and last year they were probably the deepest in the country
at post and they've added several quality guards in this recruiting class.
I expect them to be back in their normal position in the national rankings.

"UAB went to the Sweet 16 a few years ago, so that will be a big challenge
there. George Mason may not be a recognizable name to a lot of fans, but
they took Old Dominion into overtime in their conference tournament and ODU
went to the Elite Eight. George Mason has everyone back, and they beat us
up there last year, so we know they'll be tough."

The Louisville game will be a homecoming of sorts for senior forward Nneka
Irons, who prepped at Manual High School. "Louisville was in the same NCAA
region as us a couple of years ago, so we know they have a solid team,"
Moore said.

The Lady Mocs will spend a few days sight-seeing in Hawaii before playing
in the Ala Moana Tournament just prior to the Christmas break. "In every
early bird, preseason poll I've seen, Texas Tech is in the top four or five
in the country. They had a great team last year and added a first team
All-America at point guard, which was where they supposedly needed help."

Chattanooga finished 23-8 last season and captured its third consecutive
SoCon Regular Season Championship and second straight SoCon Tournament
Championship. UTC must replace four seniors, including two-time SoCon
Player of the Year Damita Bullock and starting forward Heather Dykes.

"A lot of people are licking their chops as we are entering the "AD" era --
After Damita," Moore said. "We lost two starters and four seniors who
provided great leadership for our program. Everyone in the conference feels
like we're open game right now.

"We've got four freshmen coming in we're counting on to play and make a big
impact. They'll be thrown into the fire immediately. I'm excited about our
freshmen. For this time of the year, I'm about as excited as I've been in a
long time."