CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Fans filled the Roundhouse in pink shirts as Chattanooga took down Western Carolina 52-36 on Play4Kay night. UTC coming off two consecutive defeats, locked in this game on the defensive end, as Western Carolina's 36 points is a season low total for a D1 opponent against the Mocs. It's also the eighth game this season that the Mocs have held their opponent under 50 points.

Chattanooga allowed no 3-pointers (0-14) while Western Carolina held a 33.3% (13-39) shooting percentage. It's the first game since Jan. 18, 2025 vs. Mercer that the Mocs have held an opponent to no triples.

Caia Elisaldez led the charge offensively for the home side, scoring 20 points on 72.7% (8-11) shooting. She also dished out four assists. She has scored 20 or more points in three straight games.

Gianna Corbitt was also in double figures for UTC, posting 15 points and eight rebounds. The sophomore forward was impactful defensively as well, totaling five steals to tie her career high.

Other notable performances from the Mocs included Sarah Owona with eight points and four rebounds and Falon Bedke with a season-high seven rebounds.

Records
Chattanooga: 17-7, 9-2 SoCon
Western Carolina: 3-23, 0-12 SoCon

UTC scored the first five points of the evening on a layup from Corbitt and a triple by Elisaldez. Later in the quarter, 3-pointers by Corbitt and Sarah Owona pushed the Mocs ahead 14-8 at the end of one period.

The Mocs began the second quarter on a 9-0 run to move ahead 23-8. Elisaldez, Owona, Izzy McPherson, and Frode Flos van der Schans all contributed in the scoring run. In total, the Catamounts mustered just five points in the quarter, three of which came on a basket with eight seconds left, as UTC led 27-13 at the break. Western Carolina's 13 first-half points were the fewest any team has scored in a half against Chattanooga this season.

Corbitt scored a quick five points in the first minute of the third quarter, but then it was time for the Mocs to go cold, letting the away side back into the game. UTC went over eight minutes without scoring, as the Catamounts went on a 10-0 run. A 3-pointer by Corbitt with 31 seconds remaining ended the run, and put the score at 35-25 going into the final frame.

The Catamounts came as close as six points after scoring the first four points in the fourth quarter, but the Mocs got it going again. An old-fashioned 3-point play by Elisaldez kick-started a 10-2 run to put Chattanooga up 14 points with 4:32 remaining. She scored nine of her 20 points in the fourth quarter. The lead remained in double figures as an Owona 3-pointer late in the game capped off the win.

Chattanooga moves to 90-13 all-time against Western Carolina and has won eight in a row in the series.  

Quotes
Head Coach Deandra Schirmer

Opening Statement:
"We made a concerted effort understanding that our success this season has been directly correlated to our defense and rebounding. To hold a team 20 points under their average, I think that just showcases how locked in we've been this week, and how focused we've been on that defensive effort. In turn, we need to get our offense to then coincide with our defense. But, I'm really proud of our group and really proud of our effort."

Gianna Corbitt, So., Forward

On the Play for Kay game & her dedication being assistant coach Mallory Odell's mom:
"I don't have any relatives or know anyone that suffers from breast cancer. Doing it for Coach Mal (Mallory Odell) and getting her mom recognized as a breast cancer survivor...it was just something that I thought I could do because I don't have anyone, but I know she does. I could just recognize her and show that she's a strong person, she's a survivor. Coach Mal is amazing. She's the sweetest person in the world, and it just meant so much there."

UP NEXT: Chattanooga takes UNCG on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. in the Roundhouse for Senior Day.   

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