CHARLESTON, S.C.--- The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga dropped an 86-74 decision at College of Charleston (15-8/10-2) Thursday night in Carolina First Arena.  The Mocs stormed back from a 29-point second half deficit closing to 10 with 8:40 to play, but they could not close out the Southern Conference South Division leader.

Chattanooga (13-11/5-6) was led by DeAntre Jefferson's 13 points and seven rebounds off the bench.  Ricky Taylor scored 12 for his ninth straight game in double digits.

Five Cougars scored in double figures as Tony White, Jr., led the way with 19.  Andrew Goudelock and Matt Sundberg added 17 apiece.

Tied at 12 after two Chris Early free throws at 13:33, the Cougars went on a 14-3 run to go up 26-15 on a three-point play by White at 9:47.  CofC kept the pressure up pushing the lead to as many as 20 (43-23) before settling on the 19-point halftime advantage.

Charleston hit eight three-pointers in the first half with Goudelock finding the bottom of the basket three times from beyond the arc, all well behind the line.

Charleston pushed the lead to 59-30 after eight straight points by Goudelock capped by a three at 16:03.  But the Mocs would not go quietly.

Chattanooga scored 16 unanswered points cutting the lead to 13 on a Ty Patterson trey at 12:06.  The lead was cut to 10, 66-56, on a tip-in by Josh Odem with 8:41 left. 

The Cougars were not to be denied.  With the margin still at 10, 69-59, CofC out-scored the Mocs 10-2 over the next three minutes ending the run with a Sundberg three at 5:25 to make it 79-61.

Patterson scored 11 for the Mocs, while Ridge McKeither added 10 points and five rebounds.  The Mocs held a 44-24 advantage in the paint as the Mocs got aggressive with 30 in the paint after intermission.

The Cougars hit 17 threes in 44 attempts, a season high in attempts for an opponent this season.  Sundberg (5-9) and Goudelock (5-8) combined for 10 of 17 beyond the arc.  Jeremy Simmons had 10 points and nine rebounds, while Donavan Monroe chipped in 10 as well.

The Mocs remain in Charleston for Saturday evening's matchup with The Citadel.  Tipoff is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.  Chattanooga returns home Wednesday, Feb. 10, against Samford at 7 p.m.

Catch all of the Mocs' action on ESPN Radio 105.1 FM with the Voice of the Mocs, Jim Reynolds, providing play-by-play in his 30th season behind the microphone.  Live stats, live video (selected games) and audio are also available on GoMocs.com.