MACON, Ga. – With a win at Mercer, UTC could clinch at minimum a share of the SoCon Regular Season Title, but Chattanooga did not get it done on the court, falling 68-55. That being said, things did go Chattanooga's way in Greenville, as Furman defeated Wofford, putting the Mocs in a tie at 10-4 with Wofford and ETSU for a three-way Championship share, despite the loss. ETSU moved up in the standings after UTC's and Wofford's losses, along with its win at Samford this afternoon. 

It is Chattanooga's 24th SoCon Regular Season Title, more than any other school in the league. It is also second-year Head Coach Deandra Schirmer's first as a Moc.

In the game, the Mocs were led by Gianna Corbitt, who flirted with a double-double, posting 21 points and nine rebounds. Caia Elisaldez scored 18 points and dished out five assists. In the third quarter, she surpassed 1,000 career points for her career. She is the 31st player in program history to join the 1,000-point club.

Talia Kemp led Mercer in scoring with 19 points and five assists. As a team, the Bears had a better shooting percentage than the Mocs at 43.9% (25-57) to 34.4% (21-61). On the glass, Mercer outrebounded Chattanooga 39-36. It's just the second SoCon game the Mocs have not won the rebound battle this season. 

Records
Chattanooga: 18-9, 10-4 SoCon
Mercer: 17-12, 7-7 SoCon

The Mocs were ahead after one quarter, leading 14-13, despite Mercer scoring the first seven points of the game. Chattanooga battled back slowly and surely, before Izzy McPherson drained a triple with 51 seconds remaining to give UTC its first lead of the game. 

Corbitt scored on Chattanooga's opening possession of the second quarter before Mercer took over the game offensively. The Bears used a 13-2 run, behind three makes from deep, to move ahead 28-18. UTC then slowed down Mercer, holding the home side scoreless for just under three minutes to end the quarter, cutting the lead to 30-24 at the break. 

A quick three from Corbitt followed by a basket from Elisaldez put Chattanooga immediately back within one point at the start of the third quarter. Once again though, the Bears hit right back, scoring the next 12 points to go up 42-29. Chattanooga cut the lead back to six at the 3:30 mark, however with the help of a last-second lay-in from Kemp, Mercer led 48-38 going into the final quarter. 

In the fourth quarter, Mercer outscored Chattanooga 20-17 to secure the double-digit win. The closest the Mocs got in the final frame was 10 points at the 5:55 mark, and with 1:45 remaining in the game.

UP NEXT: Chattanooga starts the SoCon Tournament on Thursday in Asheville as the No. 1 seed. The Mocs take on No. 8 seed, Western Carolina, at 11 a.m. Tickets are available to purchase today.

FOLLOW CHATTANOOGA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
For the latest news and information on Chattanooga Mocs Basketball, visit the official website of Mocs Athletics at GoMocs.com. Fans can also follow the Mocs on social media at @GoMocsWBK (X), @GoMocsWBK (Instagram) and ChattanoogaWomensBasketball (Facebook).