CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.—McNeese women's basketball couldn't stop the scoring runs of 25^th ranked Chattanooga in a 68-53 loss Friday in the opening round of the preseason WNIT.
 
"Obviously we are disappointed," said head coach Brooks Donald Williams. 'Give credit to Chattanooga, they are a very good team. There were moments when we looked like a very good team also, we just didn't answer their runs on several occasions. We will certainly learn from this game and let it help make us better," Williams said.
 
McNeese got double figure scoring from reserves Amber Donnes and Victoria Rachal who came off the bench to combine for 26 points. Donnes led the Cowgirls with 16 points on 6 of 13 from the field including two 3-pointers. Rachal connected on 5 of 8 with one 3-pointer. Frederica Haywood pulled down six rebounds to lead McNeese who was outrebounded 43-28.
 
Chattanooga placed three players in double figures with Keiana Gilbert leading the Mocs with 19 points. Jasmine Joyner chipped in 15 and added 13 rebounds for a double-double. Chelsey Shumpert ended with 11.
 
The first two minutes of the game was a sign it was the season opener for both teams as neither one could find the bottom of the basket.  Keiana Gilbert scored the games first points for a 2-0 Chattanooga lead. McNeese responded with a basket by Frederica Haywood to tie the game. Chattanooga held a 5-2 lead before Allison Baggett drained her first 3-pointer of the season to tie the game at five all.
 
After a 7-7 tie, Chattanooga went on its first scoring run to lead 12-7 then went on another run to hold a 16-12 lead. McNeese went on a run of their run late in the quarter on a trey by Amber Donnes and a layup by Jasmyn Carswell to trail 18-14 after the first period.
 
McNeese opened the second quarter off with layups by Victoria Rachal and Carswell to tie the game up again (18-18) but a 10-3 run by the Mocs would give them a 38-21 lead and one they wouldn't give up.
 
Chattanooga outscored McNeese 21-11 in the third quarter to extend their lead to 59-35 lead.
 
McNeese ended the game on an 8-0 run and outscored Chattanooga 18-9 in the fourth quarter.
 
The Cowgirls are guaranteed two more games in the WNIT, opponent and site will be announced either later this evening or sometime Saturday.