CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Behind a relentless defensive and rebounding performance, Chattanooga took down Wofford 61-42 at home in its first SoCon of the year. The win is the fifth in a row for the Mocs.
Records
Chattanooga: 9-5, 1-0 SoCon
Wofford: 6-9, 0-1 SoCon
42 points is the lowest total a Division I opponent has had against the Mocs this year. On the glass, Chattanooga outrebounded Wofford 51-25 for a season-high +26 differential. It is the first time since 2020 that the Mocs have totaled 50 or more rebounds, 16 of which came from
Gianna Corbitt for a new career high. Going into the game, Wofford was the SoCon's top rebounding team at 42.6 per game, which makes the performance all the more impressive.
Kalifa Ford led the way with her best game as a Moc, scoring a season-high 20 points and accounting for eight rebounds, which ties a season high.
Wofford seemed to have some offensive rhythm in the first few minutes of the game, scoring on its first four possessions to go up 9-5. The Terriers then went ice cold, not scoring for over five minutes.
Frode Flos van der Schans buried a 3-pointer, and a 15-foot jumper, for Chattanooga's final baskets of the period as it led 14-11.
It was a struggle for both teams on the offensive end for most of the second quarter as Wofford scored just seven points while Chattanooga scored 10. However, six of Chattanooga's 10 points came in the final minute as
Sarah Owona and
Gianna Corbitt knocked down triples to put it ahead 24-18 at the break.
Wofford and Chattanooga were neck-and-neck for most of the third quarter. In the final two minutes, a 3-pointer by
Ava Card and an inside basket from
Izzy McPherson, push the home side ahead 39-31. However, Wofford weather the storm with a 3-pointer of its own to trail by only five points going into the fourth quarter.
Chattanooga clinched the game by outscoring Wofford 22-8 in the fourth quarter. A big part of that was a 13-0 run that put Chattanooga ahead 56-38 with 4:29 remaining. Ford scored 11 of her 20 points on the night during this scoring run. After the run ended,
Ava Card buried a triple and
Caia Elisaldez made two free throws as the Mocs closed out a 61-42 win.
Card and Elisaldez were the other two Mocs in double-figures scoring with 10 points each. Elisaldez also had six assists while Card posted five rebounds.
Frode Flos van der Schans delivered a season-high seven points off the bench.
It wasn't Chattanooga's best shooting night, posting 34.8% (23-66) from the field, however the home side was 100% (8-8) at the free-throw line. Wofford was 34% (17-50) shooting.
Chattanooga moves to 57-9 all-time against Wofford and 28-2 at home. The Mocs have also won four SoCon openers in a row and are 38-7 all-time in SoCon openers.
QUOTES:
Head Coach Deandra Schirmer
"I could not be more proud of our group. The relentlessness of this team being able to hold a very, very talented team to 42 points. Hold some very talented players under their average. I was just very, very happy for their hard work to pay off and for them to see the rewards of hey, we are moving in the right direction."
"I think tonight you saw we were fighting for every single inch. When you start playing like that consistently, then you see that consistency happen in big games as well. And this was a huge game. I think Wofford is very, very talented, and I think they're going to be challenging (at the top of the league) throughout the season."
Frode Flos van der Schans, R-Jr., Center
"Going into the game, we knew (Queen Ikhiuwu) was their leading scorer. One of our team folks actually keeps a stat for under average, so we were very focused on keeping away her right hand and making sure that we talk a lot on the ball screen so we can help the whole team and just contain without fouling."
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