CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. --- Chattanooga's initial open to Southern Conference play was delayed Thursday due to positive COVID-19 tests and quarantine requirements within the Samford program. As a result, the Mocs will now open league action Saturday afternoon at Mercer.
 
Chattanooga is 2-13 overall with wins over Tennessee State and UNC Asheville out of conference. The Mocs are shooting 38.3 percent from the field and average 4.7 3-pointers per game. On the boards, UTC is pulling down 33.1 rebounds per game.
 
Mercer's opening league game was also delayed due to ETSU's issues with COVID-19 protocols. The Bears are the only team in the SoCon with a winning percentage above .500 through non-conference play and are 7-5 overall. They average 60.4 points per game shooting 39 percent.
 
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Mocs at Mercer
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Site: Macon, Ga. | Hawkins Arena
Watch: https://es.pn/3G9Q9k4
Listen: https://bit.ly/3qZsmNk
Follow: http://stats.statbroadcast.com/statmonitr/?id=374897
 
The Mocs and Bears first met in 1983 in the season-opener with UTC winning in overtime. The Mocs were 9-1 against Mercer before they joined the SoCon in the 2014-15 season. Since then, the pair have split the regular season 7-7 including last year's games in Macon. UTC is a2-1 against Mercer in the SoCon Tournament with both wins coming in the final game. On the road, the Mocs are 7-6 against the Bears.
 
THE LAST TIME THEY MET
Both games last season were played in Macon and the two teams split the series. Mercer won the first game 50-42 and UTC took the second 69-60.
 
GAME 1 - Mercer 50, UTC 42
After trailing most of the game, the Mocs used a 9-1 run at the start of the fourth quarter to take its first lead of the game since late in the second at 41-40 with 2:52 remaining. Kallie Searcy had a team-high eight points while Eboni Williams, Amaria Pugh and Dena Jarrells each added seven. Abbey Cornelius had a team-best 10 rebounds. UTC was outmatched on the boards 46-36 but outscored the Bears 26-22 in the paint. The Mocs were 17-of-50 (34%) from the field and 2-of-14 from the arc.
 
GAME 2 - UTC 69, Mercer 60
The Mocs had five in double figures to take Game 2 of the regular season series against Mercer. Abbey Cornelius posted a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds and dished out five assists. Bria Dial and Sigrun Olafsdottir each added 12 points while Amaria Pugh and Eboni Williams chipped in 10 points apiece. The Mocs started the game on an 11-3 run but Mercer came back with a 14-2 run of its own to take a 17-13 lead at the end of the first quarter. UTC tied the game at the end of the third 44-44 with an 18-13 edge in the period fueled by a 10-of-12 performance at the free throw line. UTC outscored Mercer 25-16 in the fourth quarter and outrebounded the Bears 40-30 and only allowed nine second chance points. UTC was 26-of-48 from the field (54.2%) and 3-of-14 from the arc. At the free throw line, the Mocs were 11-of-14.
 
FOLLOW THE MOCS
For the latest news and information on Chattanooga women's basketball, visit the official website for Mocs Athletics at GoMocs.com. Fans can also follow the Mocs on social media at /GoMocsWBK (Facebook), @GoMocsWBK (Twitter), @GoMocsWBK (Instagram).