Chattanooga’s women’s basketball team defeated Western Carolina 52-36 during the Play4Kay night at the Roundhouse. The event, which saw fans dressed in pink, was part of a national initiative to raise awareness for breast cancer.
The Mocs, who had lost their previous two games, focused on defense throughout the contest. Western Carolina’s 36 points marked the lowest total scored by a Division I opponent against Chattanooga this season. It was also the eighth time this year that Chattanooga held an opponent under 50 points.
Western Carolina failed to make any three-point shots, going 0-for-14 from beyond the arc. The Catamounts shot just 33.3% from the field. This was the first time since January 18, 2025, against Mercer that Chattanooga held an opponent without a three-pointer.
One player led Chattanooga offensively with 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting and added four assists. She has now scored at least 20 points in three consecutive games.
Another UTC player contributed 15 points and eight rebounds while tying her career high with five steals.
Other notable performances included one Moc scoring eight points with four rebounds and another securing a season-high seven rebounds.
Chattanooga improved its record to 17-7 overall and 9-2 in Southern Conference play. Western Carolina fell to 3-23 overall and remains winless in conference play at 0-12.
The Mocs started strong, opening with five straight points and finishing the first quarter ahead 14-8 after several three-pointers. A nine-point run early in the second quarter extended their lead to 23-8. By halftime, Chattanooga led 27-13; Western Carolina’s first-half point total was the lowest allowed by UTC this season.
After halftime, one Moc quickly scored five points before both teams went cold offensively. Western Carolina responded with a ten-point run before a late three-pointer restored Chattanooga’s lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The Catamounts narrowed the deficit to six early in the final period, but Chattanooga answered with a decisive run sparked by an old-fashioned three-point play. One player scored nine of her game-high twenty points in that quarter as UTC secured a double-digit victory.
Chattanooga now holds a 90-13 all-time record against Western Carolina and has won eight straight meetings between the teams.
Head Coach said: “We made a concerted effort understanding that our success this season has been directly correlated to our defense and rebounding. To hold a team 20 points under their average, I think that just showcases how locked in we’ve been this week, and how focused we’ve been on that defensive effort. In turn, we need to get our offense to then coincide with our defense. But, I’m really proud of our group and really proud of our effort.”
A sophomore forward commented on participating in Play4Kay night: “I don’t have any relatives or know anyone that suffers from breast cancer. Doing it for Coach Mal () and getting her mom recognized as a breast cancer survivor…it was just something that I thought I could do because I don’t have anyone, but I know she does. I could just recognize her and show that she’s a strong person, she’s a survivor. Coach Mal is amazing. She’s the sweetest person in the world, and it just meant so much there.”
Chattanooga will next face UNCG on Saturday afternoon at home for Senior Day.
For more information about Chattanooga women’s basketball or upcoming games, visit GoMocs.com or follow @GoMocsWBK on social media platforms X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, or Facebook.
