Final Stats
Post-Game Notes
CULLOWHEE, N.C. --- Chattanooga (15-15/11-9) dug itself a hole to open the game and despite a furious rally, the Mocs lost 86-77 at Western Carolina (16-14/11-9). With the loss, UTC shares the Southern Conference North Division title with WCU.
It was a quick start for the Catamounts scoring the games first 15 points all on three pointers, four by Brigham Waginger. Western took a 22-2 at 15:36 on a three-point play by Brandon Giles.
Chattanooga chipped away cutting the lead to 30-15 on a Keyron Sheard layup at 11:56. The Catamounts then went on an 8-2 run to push the lead to 38-17 on a Greg Avery layup at 7:05 before taking a 51-33 advantage into the break.
The second half was more of the same as the first three baskets the Catamounts scored were three-pointers extending its lead to 66-44. It would get interesting from there.
Chattanooga went on a 9-0 run to close to within 13, 66-53, capped by a thunderous Nicchaeus Doaks dunk at 9:07. During the run, UTC held the Catamounts without a field goal for 5:32.
The Mocs cut the lead to eight 71-63 on consecutive three-pointers by Kevin Goffney. After a Giles jumper made it 74-64 WCU, UTC scored seven unanswered points to cut the lead to three, 74-71 on a Khalil Hartwell layup at 3:07.
But the Catamounts were not to be denied. WCU hit its free throws down the stretch to close with the nine-point win.
Doaks led four Mocs in double-digits with 19 points on the night. Goffney added 16 points and a team-high seven rebounds, while Hartwell chipped in 15 and Sheard 11. Doaks, Goffney and Hartwell combined for 39 of the Mocs 44 second-half points.
Giles and Waginger combined for 45 points with Giles tossing in 23 including his 1,000th career point. Waginger hit a career high seven three-pointers en route to his 22 points, a career high as well.
The Mocs and Catamounts have first round bye for the SoCon tournament so each plays Saturday in Chattanooga. Western will play the winner of UNC Greensboro and either College of Charleston or The Citadel in the afternoon, while Chattanooga opens the evening session at 7 p.m. against either Wofford or Elon.
