NOTES |
STATS |
ROSTER |
SCHEDULE |
TICKETS |
ABOUT CHATTANOOGA BASKETBALL
CHATTANOOGA---And then there was one. The Chattanooga Mocs play their last road game of 2019 this Saturday at UNC Asheville. The two tipoff at 2 p.m., at Kimmel Arena on ESPN+ with the local radio broadcast on WFLI 97.7 FM and 1070 AM.
The Mocs close the pre-holiday portion of the 2019-20 schedule with a trip to its home away from home, Asheville, N.C. The Mocs have several fond memories of the mountain oasis winning five - 1988, 1993, 1994, 1995 & 2016 - of their Southern Conference Tournament titles in the downtown civic center. This is the first trip to UNC Asheville's Kimmel Arena.
Chattanooga enters the matchup coming off a thrilling 84-80 overtime triumph Sunday over Troy. The Mocs came back from seven down in the second half, five in the final 2:30 in regulation, to storm past the Trojans in extra time.
Matt Ryan leads the way with a 14.6 point-per-game average. He tied his career-best 23 points in the win over Troy quickly erasing that late five-point deficit with back-to-back threes. He also led the squad in rebounds (7), assists (3) and steals (2).
David Jean-Baptiste adds 13.5 ppg with
Ramon Vila chipping in 9.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per contest.
Asheville is 6-4 with home wins over UT Martin (91-72) and Stetson (78-76) leading into this tilt. The Bulldogs boast four averaging double digits: DeVon Baker (17.1), Tajion Jones (16.5), Lavar Batts (12.7) and LJ Thorpe (12.1). They force 20.3 turnovers per game, a +7.9 margin. That TO margin ranks second nationally.
The Mocs return to McKenzie Arena on Sunday, Dec. 29, for a double-header with the women's program. They guys are up first at 1:30 p.m., hosting Cumberland before the ladies square off with Ohio at 4 p.m. Donate two canned food items to help replenish the Chattanooga Area Food Bank and get buy one, get one free tickets.
Chattanooga (7-5) at UNC Asheville (6-4)
2 p.m. | Dec. 21 | Asheville, N.C. | Kimmel Arena (3,200)
MEDIA AVAILABILITY:
TV: ESPN+ - Pete Yanity (PxP) & Dean Keener (Analysis)
RADIO: WFLI 97.7 FM & 1070 AM. Jim Reynolds is in his 40th year as the "Voice of the Mocs". The broadcast is also available on the TuneIn app.
Links to audio, video & live stats are always available on GoMocs.com's men's basketball schedule page.
3 NOTES TO KNOW
- A win Saturday over Asheville would be the seventh against a DI non-conference opponent in the regular season. That would be the fourth time in school history and first since 2016-17 (7-4). Others: 1987-88 (7-4) & 2015-16 (9-2).
- The last game before the holiday break is always tough. Minds are on the newly-completed semester along with a decent break, eight days between games for this crew. Chattanooga lost its last two on the road: 82-63 at Alabama (Dec. 22, 2008) and 67-52 at UAB (Dec. 18, 2013). Last pre-holiday win away from Chattanooga? 85-74 over Mount St. Mary's in Puerto Rico (Dec. 21, 2005). Last in a true road game? 77-60 at SMU (Dec. 19, 1998). UTC is 18-3 beginning with that win in the last 21, 1-2 on the road.
- Key stat could be turnovers. UNC Asheville is second in the nation in TO margin (+7.9) forcing 20.3 per contest, 21.8 in Kimmel Arena. The Bulldogs are 5-1 when forcing more than 20 this season. The Mocs average 12.6 TOs with just 19 over the last 85 minutes of game time at Virginia Tech (10) and Troy (9).
TICKETS ON SALE
Tickets can be purchased on GoMocs.com or by calling (423) 266-MOCS (6627) or 425-5740. Fans can also stop by the Gate 1 ticket office at McKenzie Arena.
MBB UPCOMING GAMES
Dec. 29: Cumberland | Current Rec.: 9-5 | Next Opp: at Murray State (Dec. 28)
Jan. 4: at Mercer | Current Rec.: 5-6 | Next Opp: Furman (Dec. 20)
Jan. 8: Furman | Current Rec.: 10-3 | Next Opp: at Mercer (Dec. 20)
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