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CHATTANOOGA---It's been a long, winding road for the Chattanooga Mocs. Next up is the fifth of a 5-game road trip that covers approximately 2,400 miles of southern highway and byways. Fitting that end with the Southern Conference opener at Western Carolina.
 
The Mocs are an even 2-2 on the trip with losses at Florida State and No. 17 Tennessee before sweeping Alabama State and Jacksonville State to capture the Emerald Coast Classic. A win Tuesday night over the Catamounts would push the record to above .500 for the trip which would be a first for the program in a trip as long or longer since the end of the 2015-16 season. That group won the season finale at VMI before capturing their 11th league tourney title in Asheville besting Samford, Western Carolina and ETSU. That span ended with the NCAA Tournament loss to No. 14 Indiana.
 
It won't be easy. Western is off to its best start (5-2) since opening 2009-10 winning 10 of its first 11. The Cats are led Northern Kentucky transfer Mason Faulkner leads the resurgent effort averaging 19.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and a SoCon-best 6.3 assists per contest. He's supported by Carlos Dotson (12.9 ppg, 9.1 rpg) in the post and Matt Halvorsen (10.4 ppg, 38.5% 3pt) on the wing.
 
Matt Ryan leads Chattanooga through eight games with a 14.3 points-per-game average. He is coming off an 18-point performance (4-7 3pt) in the championship game triumph over Jacksonville State. Jean-Baptiste adds 13.9 points per contest.
 
Chattanooga (5-3/0-0) at Western Carolina (5-2/0-0)
7 p.m. | Dec. 3 | Cullowhee, N.C. | Ramsey Center (7,826)
 
MEDIA AVAILABILITY:
TV: ESPN3
 
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
- Chattanooga is 24-18 opening conference play all-time, 10-12 when starting on the road. The last time the Mocs opened at Western Carolina was a 64-48 triumph on Dec. 31, 2016. They're 3-1 all-time beginning SoCon play with the Catamounts, 2-0 in Cullowhee.
- The Catamounts series is the second-most frequent in school history. This is the 94th meeting trailing Samford (99). Three through five: Furman (88), ETSU (88) & The Citadel (83).
- Chattanooga allowed 174 points (58.0 ppg) over its last three outings limiting No. 17 Tennessee (58), Alabama State (56) and Jacksonville State (60) all to 60 or less. The 174 is the lowest to DI opponents over a 3-game stretch since 2015. Gave up 173 from Nov. 28-Dec 12 against Jacksonville State (62-52) at ULM (54-64) and at Dayton (61-59). Held 10 opponents to less than 60 that season, already at three in 2019-20 (Tennessee St-57, Tennessee-58 & Alabama State-56).
 
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. 8: Tennessee Wesleyan | 1 p.m. | Current Rec.: 3-5 | Next Opp: Pensacola Christian (Dec. 3)
Dec. 11: at Virginia Tech | 8:30 p.m. | Current Rec.: 6-2 | Next Opp: No. 1 Duke (Dec. 6)
Dec. 15: Troy | 4 p.m. | Current Rec.: 2-6 | Next Opp: North Alabama (Dec. 4)
 
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