FINAL STATS 

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. --- In its first home game in a month, the Chattanooga men's basketball team beat Tennessee Wesleyan 102-70 in the first day of the 2008 Dr Pepper Classic. The win improves UTC's record to 3-8 on the season while the Bulldogs fall to 5-6.

The Mocs were led by Stephen McDowell, who put in a game-high 22 points. The senior shot 8-of-11 from the field and 6-of-9 from three-point range and also recorded a career-high tying three steals.

In addition to McDowell, Chattanooga had five other players score in double figures, including 13 by junior Ty Patterson. Kevin Goffney and Chris Early both finished with 11 points, while Nicchaeus Doaks and Ricky Taylor each had 10 as the Mocs shot 47.3 percent from the field in the contest.

The game was won on the boards for the Mocs, however, as Chattanooga dominated the Bulldogs 55-29 on the glass, including a 20-4 advantage on offensive end. The Mocs' 55 rebounds was a season-high, besting the 54 the team had against Tennessee Temple.

In the early stages of the game Tennessee Wesleyan was able to hang close as the Bulldogs led 13-11 at the 15:23 mark. The lead would not last long as UTC surged past via a 17-0 run to go up 28-13.  Chattanooga would end the first half on a 15-4 run as the Mocs took a 51-30 lead into the break.

In the second half the Mocs continued to pour in more points as the team's lead expanded to as high as 38 en route to the 102-70 victory.  It was a total team effort as the bench contributed 55 of the 102 points.  No starter played more than 19 minutes for the Mocs.

Next up for Chattanooga will be the Purple Eagles of Niagara, who defeated Murray State 80-71 in the first contest of the Dr Pepper Classic. Tip off is slated for 8 p.m. from The McKenzie Arena and will follow the 6 p.m. game between Lee University and Tennessee Wesleyan.