Chattanooga Women’s Basketball Falls to Mississippi State in Starkville
Starkville, Miss. — The Chattanooga Mocs women’s basketball team faced a tough opponent on Sunday, November 17, 2024, as they took on the Mississippi State Bulldogs. In a game that tested the Mocs’ resilience, they ultimately fell short, with a final score of 69-44. This matchup marked a significant challenge for Chattanooga, who now holds a record of 2-3 for the season.
Game Overview
The game kicked off with Mississippi State (4-0) establishing control early on. The Mocs struggled to find their footing, ending the first quarter trailing 16-8. The second quarter saw a glimmer of hope for UTC as they managed to narrow the gap. After a slow start, the Mocs launched a 10-0 scoring run, spurred by the impressive play of freshman Izzy McPherson, who scored six points during the stretch. At halftime, the Mocs closed in on the Bulldogs, trailing by just five points with a score of 29-24.
Critical Third Quarter
However, the momentum shifted drastically in the third quarter. Mississippi State came out of the locker room with renewed energy and put pressure on the Mocs, forcing multiple turnovers. The Bulldogs outscored Chattanooga 22-7 in the third quarter, effectively sealing the deal for the home team. The Mocs struggled to keep up with the increased intensity of Mississippi State, leading to a challenging final quarter.
Key Player Contributions
In a standout performance, Izzy McPherson led her team with a career-high 16 points in her first collegiate start. McPherson’s contributions were crucial despite the eventual loss. Sigrun Olafsdottir also showcased her all-around skills, leading the team in rebounds with nine, along with two assists, two steals, and one block.
Other notable performances included Caia Elisaldez, who tied Olafsdottir in assists, and Karsen Murphy, who matched Olafsdottir’s block total. Alongside McPherson, redshirt-sophomore Frode Flos van der Schans also made her first start, contributing two points and two rebounds.
Post-Game Insights
After the game, head coach Deandra Schirmer emphasized the importance of consistency in her young team. “The thing that we need from this group is consistency more than anything,” she explained. Schirmer noted that there were moments of aggressive play and potential, but poor fouls and undisciplined actions hindered their performance against a strong opponent.
Historical Context and Next Steps
This matchup was the eighth meeting between the Mocs and the Bulldogs, with Mississippi State now leading the all-time series 5-3. The Mocs have only managed one road victory against Mississippi State, which occurred in 1985.
Chattanooga next looks to bounce back as they return home to McKenzie Arena for a two-game homestand. They will face King University on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at 6 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and local radio stations. Following King University, the Mocs will host Lipscomb on November 25, which is set to be an education day.
As the Mocs focus on improving and finding their rhythm, fans are encouraged to follow the team for updates and future games.
