RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Chattanooga lost at the buzzer on Saturday in the CBU Classic Championship game against UC Santa Barbara. With the game tied and one second remaining, the Gauchos drew up a successful sideline out-of-bounds play that allowed them to get an open layup.

It was the third game Mocs game in a row that was decided by two points, but unlike the first two, this time they were on the losing end.

The Gauchos jumped out to an early 8-2 lead as they scored on their first four opening possessions. Chattanooga then started to get some stops and scores as layups by Sarah Owona and Ava Card made it a one-point game. UCSB went into the second quarter up 20-16, though, as it ended the quarter with a quick 4-0 run.

For the first five minutes of the second quarter, neither side could make a run. That changed starting at the 3:45 mark. An 11-2 stretch with three made triples by the Gauchos in a matter of a few minutes pushed them ahead by 10 points at 35-25. Chattanooga weathered the storm, scoring the final five points of the half, capped off by a layup by Caia Elisaldez to trail by just five points going into the locker room.

Chattanooga's run continued on as the third quarter started with Corbitt burying a pair of 3-pointers to put the Mocs ahead 36-35. All-in-all, it was an 11-0 run for Chattanooga. The quarter ended how it started for Chattanooga, as Izzy McPherson knocked down a triple to put her team up 47-46 going into the fourth quarter.

The Mocs used the free-throw line to score their first three points of the final quarter before a 3-pointer by Ava Card with 5:14 remaining put them in the lead 53-52. The score remained a one-possession battle before back-to-back layups by the Gauchos made it 59-55. A little later on, a 3-pointer by UCSB put it ahead by five points with 52 seconds left.

Chattanooga didn't panic as a second-chance 3-pointer by Corbitt put Chattanooga back within two points. The Mocs then got a key defensive stop to get the ball back with a chance to tie the game. On the ensuing possession, Card neatly found Corbitt with a smart pass for the layup with one second left.

After a UCSB timeout advanced the ball past halfcourt, A backdoor lob pass made its way to Olivia Bradley, who found herself open for a buzzer-beat layup to win the game.

Elisaldez and Corbitt each scored 18 points to lead the Chattanooga offense. For the second game in a row, Corbitt brought down nine rebounds. She also knocked down four triples. After the game, Elisaldez, the California native, was named to the CBU Classic All-Tournament Team.

In the team box score, Chattanooga had a significant advantage in rebounds with 40 to UCSB's 29. 40 rebounds is a new season high for the Mocs. UCSB had a higher shooting percentage at 44.9% (22-49) to Chattanooga's 38.1% (24-63)

QUOTE:
"I just feel like as a general whole we have to be better from start to finish," said Head Coach Deandra Schirmer. "Going into the first half break down by five, it can't happen, and there are little plays I am thinking of that are just undisciplined. Not being able to get it done in a game like this is pretty tough."

UP NEXT: Chattanooga takes on Bellarmine on December 7 inside McKenzie Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. with the game being broadcast on ESPN+.

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