NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — The Chattanooga Lady Mocs delivered a commanding performance in an 81-51 women’s basketball victory over Tennessee State on Thursday night at Howard Gentry Complex. Chattanooga seized control early, building a 37-24 halftime lead. The Lady Mocs then put the game out of reach with a 25-point third quarter. Tennessee State struggled offensively throughout, scoring only nine points in the final period. The loss extends the Tigers’ difficult start to the season. With the win, Chattanooga improves to 6-5 overall. Tennessee State falls to 1-8. An announced crowd of 133 attended the nonconference game.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — The Chattanooga Lady Mocs delivered a dominant wire-to-wire performance on Thursday night, cruising to an 81-51 victory over the Tennessee State Tigers in a non-conference women’s basketball game at the Howard Gentry Complex. Chattanooga, which improved to 6-5, seized control from the opening tip and never relented, building a double-digit lead in the first quarter and methodically expanding it throughout the contest. The Lady Mocs’ offensive execution was sharp, while their defense consistently disrupted Tennessee State, forcing numerous turnovers and converting them into easy scoring opportunities. The most pivotal stretch of the game came early, as Chattanooga established a commanding tone. After Tennessee State’s Brianna Wooldridge opened the scoring with a layup, the Lady Mocs responded with a decisive 11-0 run. The surge was fueled by the dynamic backcourt duo of Caia Elisaldez and Gianna Corbitt. Elisaldez, a 5-foot-5 guard from Whittier, California, orchestrated the offense with precision, while Corbitt, a 6-1 forward from Oakland Park, Florida, provided a potent scoring punch inside. Their early collaboration, including a Corbitt layup off an Elisaldez assist and a driving score from Elisaldez herself, quickly pushed the lead to 13-2. The Tigers struggled with ball security during this critical opening period, committing multiple turnovers that Chattanooga capitalized on, ending the quarter with a 19-10 advantage. The Lady Mocs maintained their intensity in the second quarter, extending their lead to 37-24 by halftime. The third quarter proved to be the knockout blow, as Chattanooga erupted for 25 points. Elisaldez and Corbitt continued their offensive showcase, but contributions from across the roster widened the gap. A key sequence saw Corbitt drain a three-pointer, followed by a steal and assist from Kalifa Ford that led to another Corbitt three. Shortly after, Elisaldez found Falon Bedke for a three-pointer, capping a run that put the game firmly out of reach at 60-42 heading into the final period. Tennessee State, which fell to 1-8, could not mount any significant challenge in the fourth quarter as Chattanooga comfortably closed out the 30-point win. Elisaldez was the undisputed star for the Lady Mocs, turning in a masterful all-around performance. She finished with a game-high 23 points and dished out 7 assists over 34 minutes, controlling the pace and flow of the game. Her backcourt partner, Corbitt, was equally formidable, adding 21 points and a block. Ford, a 5-10 guard from Bono, Arkansas, provided valuable support with 11 points, a steal, and a block. For the Tigers, Laila Lancaster led the way with 14 points, while Erin Martin of Montgomery, Alabama, contributed 9 points, 2 blocks, and 2 steals in a losing effort. The victory marked a positive rebound for Chattanooga following a narrow road loss to UC Santa Barbara in its previous outing. Elisaldez, in particular, continued her strong recent form, building on a 15-point, 11-assist effort in a win over Bellarmine on Dec. 7. Tennessee State, meanwhile, continued to search for consistency, having now lost eight of its first nine games this season. The game was played before an announced crowd of 133. According to National Statistical’s ELO system, Chattanooga entered the contest with a 75.30 percent probability to win, a projection the Lady Mocs emphatically fulfilled with their comprehensive performance on both ends of the floor. Chattanooga will look to build on this momentum when it hosts Western Kentucky on Dec. 19. Tennessee State returns to action at home against Tennessee-Martin on Dec. 18. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in a rematch at Tennessee State on Dec. 22.

Preview: Chattanooga Lady Mocs at Tennessee State Tigers NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — The Chattanooga Lady Mocs will look to climb above .500 when they visit the struggling Tennessee State Tigers in a nonconference women’s basketball game Thursday at Howard Gentry Complex. Chattanooga (5-5) enters on a modest uptick, having won three of its last four games, including a 78-73 home victory over Bellarmine on Sunday. The Tigers (1-7) seek to halt a three-game skid following a 63-55 loss at Lipscomb that same day. The matchup features a stark contrast in recent momentum. The Lady Mocs have shown resilience in close games, with three of their last four victories decided by five points or fewer. Tennessee State’s lone win came against North Alabama on Nov. 19, and the Tigers have faced several lopsided defeats, including a 99-43 loss at Vanderbilt. A primary focus will be Chattanooga guard Gianna Corbitt, who is coming off a career-high 30-point performance against Bellarmine. Over her last five games, Corbitt is averaging 19.2 points, demonstrating her capacity as a dynamic scorer. She will be supported by guard Caia Elisaldez, who recorded a double-double with 15 points and 11 assists in the Bellarmine win. Tennessee State will counter with guard Erin Martin, who led the team with 12 points in the loss to Lipscomb. Forward Aaniya Webb, who scored a team-high 16 points in that contest, provides an additional scoring option. The Tigers will need a collective defensive effort to contain Corbitt and improve upon a season where they have allowed opponents to score 78 points or more in five of their eight games. This contest is the first of a home-and-home series between the programs, with a rematch scheduled for Dec. 22 in Chattanooga. For Tennessee State, it is the second game of a three-game homestand. Chattanooga continues a stretch of four consecutive road games. Tipoff is set for Thursday night in Nashville.