STATS | NOTES | QUOTES | PHOTO GALLERY
 
CHATTANOOGA---Juniors Tre' McLean and Justin Tuoyo combined for 49 points leading the Chattanooga Mocs to a 94-84 win over East Tennessee State. The win puts UTC, which is 16-3 overall and 5-1 in the league, in first-place in the Southern Conference, a half-game ahead of ETSU and Mercer at 4-1.
 
The Mocs broke open a two-point halftime advantage (45-43) with an 11-0 run to open the second frame capped by a McLean three at 16:25. The Bucs whittled away at the lead getting as close as seven, 64-57, on Desonta Bradford's triple seven minutes later.
 
McLean answered with a layup before Tuoyo threw down a slam on the next possession to get it back to 11, 68-57. A Chuck Ester steal led to two more Tuoyo free throws and a 13-point advantage with 7:07 to go.
 
The Bucs cut the lead to eight three times down the stretch, but they could get no closer. Tuoyo's dunk with 46 seconds remaining for the 10-point cushion, 94-84.
 
"In a game like this, a lot of emotions, both teams battling it out, two of the best teams in the Southern Conference, obviously first place on the line, I felt like we needed to get off to a good start," coach Matt McCall explained. "And we did that. It started with our defense. Obviously, 43 points in the first half and 41 in the second. You never want to give up 84, but luckily we scored in the 90s.
 
"We were able to win the game."
 
McLean tallied a career-best 29 points while tying for team-high honors with six rebounds. Tuoyo's 20 points marked back-to-back 20-point efforts while collecting a season-high six blocks. Eric Robertson drilled five 3pt (8 att.) for 15 points.
 
Ge'Lawn Guyn led the Bucs with 21. T.J. Cromer netted 19, while Deuce Bello and Desonta Bradford came off the bench adding 15 and 12, respectively. ETSU had a slight advantage on the glass, 34-32, but converted 13 offensive rebounds into a 12-1 margin in second chance points.
 
Chattanooga got off to a good start behind the sharp-shooting of Robertson. His three at 10:19 of the first half gave the home team a 10-point lead, 24-14. It was a seven-point affair, 27-20, after a Chuck Ester three-point play. ETSU got it rolling from there.
 
Back-to-back threes from Guyn extended a 14-1 run flipping the scoreboard to a six-point lead for the visitors, 34-28. Dee Oldham's 3pt from the right side with 1:36 until intermission gave UTC the lead for good.
 
"I just didn't want our guys to get deflated," McCall added. "We fought through that adversity. They went on a little run. I think they went up six, and we were able to respond. I just told them in the locker room, 'Keep playing. Don't play the score clock. Keep playing the game.'"
 
The shooting numbers leaned heavily toward Chattanooga. It shot 54 percent (27-50) from the field, 55 percent (11-20) from 3pt range and 80.6 percent (29-36) from the free throw line. The 29 free throws made and 36 attempts are both season highs.
 
The Mocs hit the road next weekend for the start of three straight away from the Scenic City. It starts Thursday at UNCG at 7 p.m.
 
The contest airs on ESPN3 and on the Mocs Sports Network through 96.1 the Legend FM in Chattanooga. Check the men's basketball schedule page on GoMocs.com for links to video, audio and live stats. Follow @GoMocsMBB for live tweets.
 
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ABOUT CHATTANOOGA BASKETBALL
- The Mocs are by far the most successful program in the Southern Conference since joining the league in 1977-78. The team has won 28 titles with 10 regular season, 10 tournament and eight division.
- 15 NCAA Tournament Appearances: 1961 (DII), 1973 (DII), 1975 (DII), 1976 (DII Runner-up), 1977 (DII National Champs), 1981, 1982, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997 (Sweet 16), 2005, 2009
- 10 SoCon Tournament Crowns: 1981, 1982, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2005, 2009
- 10 SoCon Regular Season Championships: 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994
- 8 Division Titles: 1995, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2011
- The 1997 team went to the NCAA Sweet 16 with wins over Georgia and Illinois.
- 5 SoCon Players of the Year: Willie White (1981-82), Keith Nelson (1991-92), Tim Brooks (1992-93), Chad Copeland (1993-94) and Johnny Taylor (1996-97).
- 2 SoCon Defensive Player of the Year: Z. Mason (2014), Justin Tuoyo (2015).
- 3 SoCon Coaches of the Year: Murray Arnold (1982, '83), Mack McCarthy (1986, '92, '93) and Will Wade (2014).
- 9 NBA Draft Picks: Walter "Moose" McGary (1973 & '74), William Gordon (1977), Wayne Golden (1977), Russ Schoene (1982), Nick Morken (1982), Willie White (1984), Gerald Wilkins (1985, 13 seasons) and Johnny Taylor (1997 1st Round).