CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Interstat) — In a game defined by dramatic shifts in momentum and a frantic final minute, the Chattanooga Lady Mocs escaped with a 64-62 victory over the Northern Kentucky Norse in a non-conference women’s basketball thriller Saturday at McKenzie Arena.

A crowd of 1,765 watched as the lead changed hands 10 times, with neither team able to secure a comfortable advantage. The final swing came with 29 seconds remaining when Chattanooga’s Izzy McPherson drained a critical 3-pointer off an assist from Caia Elisaldez, breaking a 61-61 tie and ultimately providing the winning margin.

Northern Kentucky had one final chance to tie or win, but Karina Bystry’s driving layup attempt in the closing seconds rolled off the rim, allowing the Lady Mocs to secure the defensive rebound and the game.

The contest was a tale of two halves, or more precisely, a tale of one explosive quarter. Chattanooga started strong, building a 17-11 lead after the first period. The second quarter was a defensive stalemate, with both teams scoring 12 points, sending the Lady Mocs into halftime with a 29-23 advantage.

The third quarter, however, belonged entirely to Northern Kentucky. The Norse erupted for 24 points, spearheaded by a relentless offensive effort from Bystry. The junior guard from Englewood, Tennessee, caught fire, scoring from all over the floor as Northern Kentucky outscored Chattanooga by eight in the period to take a 47-45 lead into the final frame.

The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth affair, setting the stage for the dramatic finish. Chattanooga’s Gianna Corbitt hit a 3-pointer with just over two minutes left to give her team a 60-57 lead, but Bystry answered with two clutch free throws to pull the Norse within one. After a Chattanooga free throw, Bystry again drove to the basket and scored, knotting the game at 61 with 46 seconds left, setting up McPherson’s game-winning shot.

Bystry was the standout performer of the afternoon, finishing with a game-high 21 points to go along with five rebounds in 25 minutes. Her scoring burst in the third quarter single-handedly brought the Norse back into the game. She was supported by Abby Wolterman, who added 12 points, and Mya Meredith, who chipped in 10.

For Chattanooga, the victory was a product of balanced scoring and a double-double from their point guard. Gianna Corbitt, a 6-foot-1 forward from Oakland Park, Florida, led the Lady Mocs with 18 points and five rebounds. The engine of the offense, however, was Caia Elisaldez. The 5-foot-5 guard from Whittier, California, orchestrated the attack masterfully, dishing out 10 assists while also scoring 13 points for a double-double. Kalifa Ford provided a strong interior presence, contributing 10 points, six rebounds and a key block.

The loss drops Northern Kentucky to 1-5 on the young season, though they showed significant fight after a slow start. The Norse will look to bounce back in a multi-team event in Nashville, Tennessee, facing Stetson on Tuesday and Drake on Wednesday.

Chattanooga improves to 3-4 with the hard-fought win. The Lady Mocs will travel to Riverside, California, for their next contest, facing Sacramento State on Friday.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, Chattanooga entered the game with a 75.40 percent probability to win, a prediction that nearly proved incorrect thanks to Northern Kentucky’s resilient second-half performance.