Mocs Down Western Carolina to Get Fourth Straight SoCon Road Victory

(gomocs.com)– The Chattanooga Mocs men’s basketball team posted its fourth-straight road victory in Southern Conference action with a convincing 84-60 decision over Western Carolina on Wednesday night inside the Ramsey Center in Cullowhee, N.C.

Chattanooga (14-8, 6-3 SoCon) controlled much of the opening half and used a plus-14 rebounding edge in the period to help build a 44-25 halftime lead over Western Carolina (6-14, 2-7 SoCon), marking the fewest first-half points UTC has allowed to an opponent this season. The Mocs saw its lead grow to as many as 32 (70-48) in the second half before eventually closing out the 84-60 victory.

Honor Huff led all scorers with a game-high 25 points after finishing 9-of-15 from the field including a 7-of-11 mark from deep, allowing him to climb into fifth all-time in UTC program history with 176 3FGM. Bash Wieland (12) and Frank Champion (12) joined Huff in double digits while Garrison Keeslar totaled a season-high 13 rebounds in the win.

GAME FLOW/INSIDE THE BOX

• Chattanooga jumped out to a 10-3 lead (15:47) with the help of three quick steals in the opening minutes.
• The Catamounts cut its deficit to four, 17-13 (10:32), with a 7-2 run that forced UTC into a timeout.
• Chattanooga responded with a 12-1 run in just over two-plus minutes to build a healthy 29-14 (7:23) lead.
• The Mocs continued to hold its lead, 36-21 (2:07), before eventually taking a 19-point lead (44-25) into the break. The 25 points allowed were the fewest this season to an opponent in the first half.

HALFTIME: Chattanooga 44, Western Carolina 25

• A slow-shooting start for both teams to begin the second half allowed for a 48-30 (17:34) UTC lead.
• The lead grew to 22, 55-33 (16:17), following an Honor Huff three and a pair of Bash Wieland free throws.
• Controlling both sides of the floor, the Mocs advantage grew to 26, 61-35 (11:52), halfway through the period.
• Huff knocked down his sixth three of the game and 175^th of his UTC career to put the Mocs ahead 70-38 (9:44). The 175 3FGM moved him into fifth on the UTC all-time program list.
• WCU put together an 8-0 run to minimize its deficit to 22, 70-48, with 7:27 left in the game.
• Chattanooga controlled the game’s final moments and emptied the bench as walk-on Liam Vitters concluded the team’s scoring with a driving finish, capping off the 84-60 road victory.

FINAL: Chattanooga 84, Western Carolina 60

KEY NOTES | 

• The Mocs have now won four-straight road games in Southern Conference play dating back to the streak’s start at The Citadel on January 4… first time with SoCon road winning streaks of four or more in back-to-back seasons since 1991-92 and 1992-93 campaigns… UTC won six-straight in 2023-24.
• Chattanooga went wire-to-wire during the win… led for 39:08 after grabbing the first lead… led by as much as 32 (2^nd 9:54)… third wire-to-wire win of the season.
• The Mocs earned a 47-29 (+18) advantage on the glass… 47 rebounds are the most this season… the +18 margin is the best of the season against a DI opponent.