RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Chattanooga won its first game of the CBU Classic against Sacramento State in dramatic fashion, as two late free throws from Caia Elisaldez clinched a 59-57 win. The Mocs overcame a 13-point deficit, it's biggest comeback of the season, to advance to the Championship game tomorrow.

The win marks the second game in a row that Chattanooga has won by two points. It's the third game that has been decided by one possession, with the Mocs victorious in all three games.

Chattanooga scored the first four points of the game, setting the tone early on. As the quarter progressed, the Mocs pushed their lead to 14-6 on a layup from Elisaldez, which would be its largest of the game.  

The Mocs then went cold offensively, as they were held scoreless for over eight minutes of game time. During this stretch, Sacramento State scored 20 consecutive points to take a 26-14 lead. Once a basket by Gianna Corbitt ended the run, Chattanooga found its rhythm again, making four more shots before halftime to cut the deficit to 32-24.

The third quarter was huge for Chattanooga, as it outscored Sacramento State 18-9. At the 1:41 mark it took back the lead for the first time since early in the game. As the game moved to the fourth quarter, it was a one-point game with the Mocs ahead.

For the first eight minutes of the final period, neither side could move ahead by more than one score. Chattanooga changed that as consecutive baskets from Elisaldez made it 55-51 with 1:20 remaining.

The Hornets responded by using a pair of 3-pointers, including one with four seconds remaining that banked in, to tie the game at 57.

On the ensuing possession, Elisaldez's half court heave for the win was no good, but the guard was fouled with one second left with a chance to win the game at the foul line. Elisaldez did just that, making two of three attempts to earn the win.

Elisaldez, the California native, who was playing in front of lots of family and friends, led the Mocs with a game-high 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting. Kalifa Ford also was a force for Chattanooga, scoring a season-high 18 points. Corbitt nearly had a double-double with 12 points and a season-high nine rebounds.

In the team box score, both teams were 37% (20-54) from the field. Chattanooga won the rebound battle 38-33.  

It was the first time the two schools played, as Chattanooga moves ahead 1-0 in the all-time series. The Mocs are now 7-3 all-time when they play in the state of California.

QUOTE:
"We talked about how we have to win gritty and finally we have a defensive battle against a talented team, who was averaging over 70 points a game going into today," said Head Coach Deandra Schirmer. "For us to come out in the third quarter and hold them to single digits was game changing. So, I am just really proud of this group for gritting it out."

UP NEXT: Chattanooga takes on UC Santa Barbara in the CBU Classic Championship at 5:30 p.m. EST.

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