CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Mocs led for nearly the entire game in a 97-46 blowout win over Southern Wesleyan on Tuesday night to end non-conference play with their fourth consecutive win. 97 points is the most points Chattanooga (8-5) has scored since 2005.
The offensive outburst was spearheaded by 12 made 3-pointers for the home side, which is a season high. From the field, Chattanooga was 54% (34-63) and it also made 17 free throws. 34 shots made ties a season high.
The Mocs' leading scorer was
Izzy McPherson who posted a career-high 19 points on 60% (6-10) shooting. Alongside
Kalifa Ford and
Ava Card, McPherson was one of three Chattanooga players to knock down three triples. Ford was right behind McPherson with 18 points to tie her season high.
The 3-pointer was unstoppable for Chattanooga in the opening quarter, as it made all five shots it took from deep. A triple by
London Weaver capped off an 11-3 run for the Mocs to end the quarter ahead 25-13.
The Mocs kept pressing forward in the second quarter as multiple players were getting involved in the offensive fun. Eight different players scored in the quarter as Chattanooga led 53-25 at the break. McPherson buried a deep ball from the top of the key at the buzzer to get the fans inside McKenzie Arena out of their seats as the Mocs went to the locker room.
In the third quarter,
Gianna Corbitt, Ford, and Corbitt each got inside baskets to fall to give the Mocs an early 6-0 run. In the final five minutes of the quarter, Chattanooga really started to press on offensively with 17 points on its way to a 79-37 lead going into the final frame.
Chattanooga stepped up its defensive performance in the fourth quarter, holding Southern Wesleyan to just nine points as it closed out the 97-46 win.
Other than McPherson and Ford, Chattanooga had three more players score in double figures. Card tallied 13 points which sets a new career high. She also had six rebounds and four assists which tied for a team high.
Evie Bruce had a career night, posting 11 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Both stats are career highs for the freshman. Lastly,
Caia Elisaldez delivered 11 points.
Other notable stats for the Mocs in the team box score include season highs in rebounds with 47 and assists with 20. Chattanooga's bench outscored Southern Wesleyan's 49-11. Additionally, the Mocs had a 28-1 advantage in fast break points. Lastly, Chattanooga totaled 16 steals which ties a season high.
QUOTES:
Head Coach Deandra Schirmer
"I was very proud of our team this week on how we came back from Christmas. We had a two-a-day, the first day back, and they came back and they were as focused as ever. I was really proud of our preparation going into this game. I think that when you hit shots, it cures a lot of things. I think that we had a great defensive game plan going into this game, and I think the girls were bought into it. I just don't think we had good execution."
Kalifa Ford, Gr., Guard
"I've learned during non-conference play that this team is resilient. I mean, the amount of games we've had to come back from, and to be able to come in tonight and our defense wasn't good, but to be able to make shots and build our confidence so that we know that we can drive and get the kick or whatever teams want to throw at us offensively, we can make those plays for each other."
Izzy McPherson, R-Fr., Guard
"Hitting shots, it feels great. Like, maybe we were at our best offensively, but defensively was nowhere near that. So, I think once we do get there, we can be very good, very scary. It's our goal to be champions."
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