GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Jasmine Joyner scored 21 points and claimed 20 rebounds to power Chattanooga to a  56-50 victory over Furman in Southern Conference women's basketball action Saturday afternoon at Timmons Arena.

Joyner, a junior center, feasted on the Paladins inside, connecting on 7-of-13 shots and 7-of-8 free throws for her 21 points.  In addition to her 20 caroms, 15 of which came on the defensive glass, she blocked six shots, collected five assists, and tacked on a pair of steals in leading Chattanooga (11-5, 2-0 SoCon) to its 50th consecutive SoCon regular season victory.

Furman (8-9, 1-1 SoCon) was led by Holli Wilkins' 20 points.  Whitney Bunn added 12 points for the Paladins.

Chattanooga led 39-35 after three quarters and opened the fourth period with a 9-2 run to go up 48-37 following Joyner's three-point play with 5:50 remaining.

The Paladins rallied behind Wilkins, who delivered a pair of baskets, including a 3-pointer and two free throws, in a 10-3 spurt, to narrow UTC's lead to 51-47 at the 1:38 mark.

Queen Alford's two free throws pushed the Mocs' advantage to 53-47 before Wilkins drained another 3-ball with 56 seconds on the clock to pull Furman to within three points.

UTC worked the clock down on the ensuing possession and capped it with an Aryanna Gilbert layup for 55-50 lead with 29 seconds to go.

Furman couldn't cash in on its possession, and Alford tacked on a free throw for the game's final point.

The Paladins struggled early as UTC went up 16-5 on two Joyner free throws six minutes into the contest.  

Alicia Payne's 3-pointer to begin the second period stretched the Mocs' lead to 21-8, after which Furman answered by outscoring UTC 15-5 to cut the deficit to 26-23 heading into intermission.

Keiana Gilbert and Queen Alford finished with 10 points apiece for UTC, which shot 40.4 percent (21-for-52).

Furman connected on 19-of-55 shots (34.5 percent), including 5-of-14 3-pointers.

Chattanooga rode Joyner's big rebounding effort to a 38-34 advantage on the boards.

The Paladins play next at Wofford on Jan. 16.

Hunter Reid, Furman Sports Information