CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – A ferocious comeback in the fourth quarter secured Chattanooga a 56-54 win over UNCG on Senior Day. The Mocs trailed by as many as 12 points, and by eight points to begin the fourth quarter, before outscoring the Spartans 21-11 in the final frame. Two clutch 3-pointers late in the game by Sarah Owona, her only shot attempts of the afternoon, proved to be the difference.

The win marks the fifth time this season UTC has overcome a double-digit deficit to win a game. It is also is the first time since the 2017-18 season that Chattanooga has completed the season sweep of UNCG.

Caia Elisaldez led the way with 10 of her 19 points she scored coming in the fourth quarter. The junior guard also had five rebounds and five assists and was 70% (7-10) at the foul line. Gianna Corbitt was in double-figures with 10 points and eight rebounds. Kalifa Ford, on her Senior Day delivered eight points and four rebounds.

Looking at the team box score, both sides struggled most of the game offensively with Chattanooga shooting 35% (19-54) from the field while UNCG was 33% (17-52) shooting the ball. The Spartans had an advantage from deep, holding a 35% (8-23) mark while the Mocs were 20% (3-15), but hit the two big triples late, thanks to Owona. On the glass, Chattanooga outrebounded UNCG 37-27.

Records
Chattanooga: 18-7, 10-2 SoCon
UNC Greensboro: 13-15, 3-10 SoCon

The Spartans took an early 6-2 lead with the Mocs' lone basket coming from Ford on a jump shot. At the 3:50 mark, Chattanooga got back within one point on a basket by Ava Card. However, UNCG scored the final four points of the period to take a 14-9 lead.

In the second quarter, UNCG started to get cold offensively, not scoring for almost five minutes. This allowed Chattanooga to go on a 6-0 run, capped off by an Izzy McPherson triple to put the home side ahead 15-14.

Things changed rapidly though, as two quick 3-pointers for UNCG sparked a 10-0 run to put it back in front 24-15. Another 3-pointer with 1:50 remaining gave the Spartans their largest lead of the game of 12 points. The Mocs then scored the closing four points of the quarter to put the score at 29-21 at halftime.

The third quarter was back-and-forth, as Chattanooga got it back to within four points in the first minute out of the locker room before UNCG answered immediately with another triple. The two sides eventually tied the quarter at 14 apiece, putting UNCG up 43-35 going into the final quarter.

Picking things up in the fourth quarter, Elisaldez got going offensively, scoring Chattanooga's first six points to make it 45-41. UNCG seemed to have answers though as it remained in front 49-43 after a tough made shot by Rylan Moffitt with 4:12 remaining.

Later in the quarter with UTC trailing 51-46 with under three minutes left in the game, the late rally started blossoming. Owona started with a 3-pointer at the 2:26 mark before a lay-in by Corbitt tied things up on the next possession. After a defensive stop, a quick transition 3-pointer by Owona with 1:05 remaining put Chattanooga up 54-51. The Mocs got another stop before Corbitt scored an inside basket to make it a five-point game. Both of Chattanooga's final two baskets were assisted by Elisaldez.

UNCG scored a 3-pointer off a sideline out-of-bounds play with seven seconds left to get back within two points. Elisaldez then put things into her own hands, dribbling away from every Spartans defender trying to foul her to run out the clock on UTC's next possession to earn her side the win.

Chattanooga moves to 53-17 all-time against UNCG and 24-6 in home games against the Spartans.

Quotes
Head Coach Deandra Schirmer

On being able to come back from 10 points down in the second half on an "off" day:
"The saying goes, 'I'd rather be lucky than good'. We were lucky and able to skate by, but we won't be able to do that on this big road trip that we have coming up, and we've got to lock in to be better."

Sarah Owona, Jr.-G

On making two clutch 3s late in the fourth quarter:
"Every practice, every game, coach tells me if you have one little second, shoot the ball. I don't really do it because I don't feel comfortable doing that. But I was so open today, and Caia (Elisaldez) gave two great passes. I just shot like I've been practicing every week, every day. Just be confident and take those when they come."

UP NEXT: Chattanooga travels to Samford on Thursday, February 26 for one of two roads games it will play in the final week of the regular season.   

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