ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Gianna Corbitt scored 29 points and Caia Elisaldez tallied 28 to power Chattanooga past Furman, 76-65, in Southern Conference Tournament semifinal play Friday at the Harrah's Cherokee Center.
With the win Chattanooga advances to the Sunday's championship game to face the winner of Friday's other semifinal game featuring East Tennessee State and Samford.
The loss ends the season for Furman (18-13) under third-year head coach
Pierre Curtis.
Corbitt scored 15 of her 29 points in the third period, helping the Mocs to 29 points in the period and a 62-46 lead. Elisaldez followed with 11 of her 28 points in the fourth quarter that help thwart a Furman rally that saw the Paladins use a 12-0 run to cut UTC's advantage to 73-65 with 3:55 remaining.
Corbitt connected on 10-of-16 shots, including 5-of-10 3-pointers, and added a game high 13 rebounds. Elisaldez delivered the same 10-of-16 shooting performance from the field and canned 2-of-3 3-pointers.
Furman placed three players in double figures, led by
Clare Coyle with 17 points.
Alyssa Ervin followed with 15 points, and
Raina McGowens added 12.
Chattanooga finished the contest shooting 46.6 percent, hitting on 27-of-58 shots. Furman shot 45.1 percent from the field (23-of-51).
The Paladins put down 8-of-16 from 3-point range, while the Mocs converted 11-of-24 trey attempts (.423).
Chattanooga took full advantage of 16 Furman turnovers to register a 24-9 scoring differential off miscues. The Mocs also tallied a 34-24 rebounding advantage.