CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Behind a dominant second quarter, Chattanooga defeated Mercer 72-59, in its first home game in nearly three weeks. The win marks the 10^th in a row for the Mocs, who have not lost since November 29. 10 consecutive wins is the most since the 2023-24 season when Chattanooga won 12 in a row.

It was a three-way offensive attack for the Mocs tonight, led by Gianna Corbitt with 22 points and nine rebounds. She was 69.2% (9-13) from the field. Caia Elisaldez impacted the game in different ways, scoring 19 points, dishing out eight assists, and contributing four steals on defense, which ties a career high.

Izzy McPherson came through with 16 points and five rebounds. The redshirt-freshman knocked down four triples. Corbitt and McPherson each set new career highs in scoring in a SoCon game. Ava Card was the fourth Chattanooga player in double figures with 10 points and five rebounds. Its just the second time this year, the Mocs have had four players score 10 or more points.

72 points is the most Chattanooga has scored in a SoCon game this season. The Mocs shot the ball at a rate of 50.9% (28-55) and 42.9% (9-21) from three. Both are also season highs in SoCon play. On the glass, the Mocs outrebounded the Bears 35-28, winning the rebound battle for the 12^th game in a row.

Records
Chattanooga: 14-5, 6-0 SoCon
Mercer: 12-9, 2-4 SoCon

McPherson buried a triple on Chattanooga's opening possession of the game. However, Chattanooga failed to score again until the 6:09 mark of the first quarter on a lay in from Corbitt, allowing the Bears to take a five-point lead. 3-0 was the Mocs' only lead of the quarter as Mercer led 15-12 after one.

The second quarter was a different story for the Chattanooga offense. It opened the quarter on a 10-0 run, scoring on its first four possessions to move ahead 22-15. Chattanooga ended the quarter strong too, using a 13-3 run in the final 3:21 to take a 37-25 lead into the locker room. In the run, McPherson buried two triples while Corbitt also sank a deep ball. The pair combined for 19 of Chattanooga's 27 points in the frame.

Mercer came out in the third quarter with some momentum, as it went on a 10-3 run to get back within five points quickly. However, the Mocs responded, as a triple from Sarah Owona started a 9-0 run for Chattanooga to move back ahead by 14. Elisaldez and McPherson followed afterwards with buckets of their own. A 3-pointer by Mercer on its final possession of the quarter put the score at 53-42.

The fourth quarter began with six consecutive points scored by Card, Corbitt, and Elisaldez to put to rest any thoughts of a comeback for the Bears. Chattanooga held firm to a double-digit lead for the remainder of the game as it closed out the 72-59 victory.

The win moves Chattanooga to 27-11 all-time against Mercer. It's the ninth win in a row for the Mocs in the series. On its home court, Chattanooga is 13-3 versus Mercer.

Quotes
Head Coach Deandra Schirmer

Opening Statement:
"We obviously had a very good offensive output in that second quarter, but it was fueled off of our steals and defense. We can make sure we're doing the little things, whether that's a box out, being in a gap or getting a seal. That's going to fuel us to everything else in the game, and so just really proud of our group for honing in and getting the win tonight."

Izzy McPherson, R-Fr., Guard/Foward

On growing confidence in her shooting during a good run of form:
"I'm a lot more confident now (than at the start of the year). I think it just goes back to my teammates still having the confidence in me, and my coaches still having confidence in me. And then that leads me to know that I can still be confident. I can take this shot and it's a good shot for us. So it feels really good."

UP NEXT: Chattanooga is back in the Roundhouse on Sunday at 2 p.m. to take on Samford.

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