CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Interstat) — In a game defined by efficiency and a decisive scoring run, the UAB Blazers women’s basketball team secured a 79-66 victory over the Chattanooga Lady Mocs on Sunday at McKenzie Arena.

The Blazers, who evened their season record at 2-2, leveraged a superior offensive performance, particularly from beyond the arc and the free-throw line, to pull away in the second half. Chattanooga’s record fell to 2-3 with the loss.

UAB seized control of the contest with a pivotal 17-2 surge that spanned the final minutes of the second quarter and the opening minutes of the third. This run transformed a narrow 22-20 lead into a commanding 39-22 advantage, a deficit from which the Lady Mocs could not recover. The Blazers’ offensive execution during this stretch highlighted the key statistical disparities that would define the game.

The Blazers’ offensive success was rooted in sharp shooting. They connected on 8 of 19 attempts from three-point range, a 42.1 percent clip that starkly contrasted with Chattanooga’s 4-of-18 performance from deep. UAB was even more clinical at the charity stripe, converting 25 of 28 free throws. Chattanooga struggled from the line, making only 16 of 24 attempts.

Despite committing 15 turnovers and being outscored 32-24 in the paint, UAB’s ability to capitalize on Chattanooga’s mistakes proved crucial. The Blazers scored 20 points off Lady Mocs turnovers, nearly doubling Chattanooga’s output of 11 points off UAB giveaways.

The individual performances underscored the team efforts. UAB was led by a stellar outing from Eleecia Carter. The guard from Winter Garden, Florida, poured in 25 points in just 26 minutes of action, showcasing her efficiency from all over the floor. She was instrumental in the second-quarter run, hitting critical three-pointers that stretched the Blazer lead.

She was ably supported by Sofia Munoz of Canovanas, Puerto Rico, who orchestrated the offense with a well-rounded stat line of 13 points and 5 assists. Monae Duffy, a forward from Lafayette, Louisiana, dominated the glass, pulling down 12 rebounds to go with 9 points. Cali Smallwood of Blountsville, Alabama, also reached double figures with 11 points.

For Chattanooga, the offensive load was carried almost single-handedly by Caia Elisaldez. The guard from Whittier, California, matched Carter’s game-high 25 points, but her efforts were not enough to overcome her team’s collective shooting woes. Gianna Corbitt from Oakland Park, Florida, contributed 7 points and 7 rebounds, while Ava Card of Montgomery, Alabama, added 11 points.

The game began as a tight, back-and-forth affair. Chattanooga’s Elisaldez and UAB’s Munoz traded three-pointers in the opening minutes, setting an early back-and-forth tone. The first quarter ended with UAB holding a slim lead, but the contest remained within a single possession for much of the second period.

The turning point arrived late in the second quarter. With UAB leading 22-20, the Blazers unleashed their game-deciding run. It began with a three-pointer from Carter, followed by a layup from Duffy. Carter then struck again from deep, and by the time the teams headed to the locker rooms, UAB had built a 13-point cushion.

The Blazers did not relent after halftime, extending the run and pushing their lead to 17 points early in the third quarter. Chattanooga attempted to mount several responses throughout the second half, with Elisaldez consistently attacking the basket, but every Lady Mocs push was met with an answering score from UAB, often from the free-throw line, to maintain a comfortable margin.

The victory provides UAB with positive momentum as they prepare for a road test at Murray State on Saturday. Chattanooga will look to regroup when they return to McKenzie Arena to host Austin Peay on Thursday. The result was an upset according to pregame projections, as Interstat’s ELO system had given the Lady Mocs a 74.6 percent probability of winning on their home court.