In a nail-biting contest that came down to the wire, the Chattanooga Mocs women’s basketball team secured a hard-fought 53-49 victory over the Alabama A&M Bulldogs in the opening round of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament on Saturday.
Freshman Gianna Corbitt led the charge for the Mocs with a career-high 27 points and 11 rebounds, proving to be the difference-maker in a game that saw multiple lead changes.
The win marks Chattanooga’s first WNIT victory since 2005 and improves their record to 17-14 for the season.
The game was a defensive battle from the start, with both teams struggling to find their shooting rhythm. Chattanooga shot 36.2% from the field, while Alabama A&M managed just 32.2%. The Mocs’ defense was particularly effective beyond the arc, holding the Bulldogs to a mere 7.7% from three-point range.
Alabama A&M, making their first-ever WNIT appearance, showed resilience throughout the contest. Led by Alisha Wilson’s double-double of 13 points and 14 rebounds, the Bulldogs mounted a late surge, going on an 11-0 run to take a 49-45 lead with just over two minutes remaining in the game.
However, the Mocs’ composure in the clutch proved decisive. Corbitt scored four crucial points to tie the game at 49-all and then sealed the victory with four free throws in the final moments.
Chattanooga head coach Deandra Schirmer praised her team’s poise under pressure. “I love March. I love the energy,” Schirmer said. “We just played a really talented Alabama A&M team that gave us everything they had. To come out on top in such a close game shows how well we play together”.
The victory sets up a second-round matchup for Chattanooga against Troy on Monday, March 24, in Troy, Alabama. The game will be a rematch of their Nov. 14 encounter, which Troy won 76-66.
Alabama A&M’s loss ends its season with a 21-11 record. Despite the disappointment, the Bulldogs can take pride in their historic WNIT appearance and competitive performance against a tough Chattanooga squad.
