CHATTANOOGA --- Coming off a buzzer-beating overtime win at Mercer on Monday night, the Chattanooga Mocs men's basketball team returns home for another quick turnaround as the squad hosts Western Carolina on Wednesday night inside McKenzie Arena in Southern Conference action. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
 
The game will be featured as 'International Night' with numerous special promotions available for fans, including $2 taco night (cashless operation) at the concession stands. In addition, the first 500 students will receive FREE world tote maps, courtesy of the Center for Global Education. International students will be recognized throughout the game.
 
Chattanooga (20-5, 10-2 SoCon) picked up its 20^th win of the season in thrilling fashion on Monday night as A.J. Caldwell connected on the game-winning three-pointer with 0.1 seconds left in overtime to secure a 74-72 victory. After the win, UTC became the only team in NCAA Division I with 10 road wins and one of nine programs to reach the 20-win mark this season.
 
The Mocs will be looking for revenge against Western Carolina (9-16, 3-9 SoCon) as the Catamounts claimed a 70-59 victory in Cullowhee earlier this season on January 12, 2022. Malachi Smith scored a game-high 33 points in the contest as UTC played without graduate guard David Jean-Baptiste.

The game vs. Western Carolina can be streamed LIVE on ESPN+ and can be accessed through the Watch ESPN platform. Fans can also listen LIVE on WFLI 96.1 FM/100.3 FM/1070 AM in Chattanooga as well as the Varsity Network app.

GAME BASICS
▪ Chattanooga (20-5, 10-2) vs. Western Carolina (9-16, 3-9)
▪ 7:00 p.m. ET | McKenzie Arena (10,995) | Chattanooga, Tenn.
▪ WATCH (ESPN+) | LISTEN (WFLI 96.1FM/100.3FM/1070AM) | STATS
▪ BUY TICKETS | STUDENT TICKETS

RADIO NOTE: WFLI added 96.1 and 100.3 FM to their arsenal of stations. The previous agreement had the Mocs on 97.7 FM and 1070 AM which was a good base of operation. Starting this weekend, 96.1 takes the place of 97.7 while 100.3 is added. The change to 96.1 adds the audio reach by roughly 100,000 homes while 100.3 expands the overall coverage further north of the Tennessee River especially strengthening the signal in Hixson and Soddy-Daisy.
 
Mocs Sports Network is developed by Mocs Sports Properties, the Learfield-owned multimedia rights holder for Mocs athletics. MSN broadcasts every men's and women's basketball and football game as well as "Chat with the Mocs", a weekly coach's show covering all things Mocs.
 
Mocs Sports Network Stations: 96.1 FM, 100.3 FM & 1070 AM.

GAME NOTES
Chattanooga | Western Carolina (currently unavailable) | SoCon (2/6)
 
SERIES HISTORY – 99^th Meeting
All-Time: 68-30 – Chattanooga
Last: 70-59, Western Carolina – Jan. 12, 2022 (Cullowhee, N.C.)
Home: 38-6 – Chattanooga
Away: 23-22 – Chattanooga
Neutral: 7-2 – Chattanooga

TIP-OFF
- Chattanooga enters the game with a 20-5 record and a 10-2 mark in SoCon play... one-and-a-half games up in first place in the SoCon standings (Furman, 9-5)... coming off a thrilling 74-724 OT win at Mercer on Monday... the 20th win notched UTC as one of only nine teams in NCAA DI with 20+ wins.
 
- Chattanooga and Western Carolina will meet for the second time this season as the Catamounts claimed a 70-59 upset win over the Mocs back on January 12... UTC played without graduate guard David Jean-Baptiste... marked the third loss in Cullowhee in the last four tries... Malachi Smith scored a game-high 33 points in the loss.
 
- Western Carolina enters the matchup with a 9-16 overall record and a 3-9 record inside the league... the Catamounts have dropped their last two games... seven of their last eight after its win over UTC on January 12... suffered a 68-49 home loss to UNCG on Monday... defeated ETSU 87-84 on Wednesday, Feb. 2... first win over the Bucs for the program since 2015.

BY THE NUMBERS 
- Following Monday's win at Mercer, Chattanooga became the first team in NCAA Division I play to win its 10th true road contest... 10-4 on the road... 10-1 at home this season.
 
- Head Coach Lamont Paris earned his 80th career win in Monday's OT thriller at Mercer...  moved into sixth place on the all-time wins list at UTC following win over The Citadel (1/8)... combined 58-26 (.690) since the start of the 2019-20 season.
 
- Chattanooga picked up win No. 20 in Monday's thriller at Mercer... one of nine teams to reach the 20 win mark this season... marks the 18th 20 win season for UTC in the Division I era (since 1977-78)... second under Lamont Paris (20-13 in 2019-20).
 
- Graduate big man Josh Ayeni scored a career-high 18 points on 8-of-10 (80.0%) shooting including a perfect 2-of-2 (100.0%) performance from beyond the arc in Saturday's win over Mercer.
 
- Fellow graduate big man Avery Diggs posted a career-high 21 points on a highly efficient 10-of-11 performance from the field in Monday's OT win at Mercer... 17 of the 21 points came in the 2nd half or OT... led the team in the +/- category with a +13 rating.

FAN INFORMATION & COVID-19 GUIDELINES
Masks are no longer required for fans inside McKenzie, however, the use of masks is encouraged. McKenzie Arena and parking services will operate on a CASHLESS basis for the 2021-22 season. Ticket purchases at the box office will still accept cash. Will Call will be located at Gate 1.

CLEAR BAG POLICY
In an effort to enhance spectator safety and align with national best-practices, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Athletics Department has a clear bag policy for home games in all of its athletics facilities. 
 
Fans are allowed to bring in one plastic, vinyl or PVC clear bag that does not exceed 12" x 6" x 12" to home games.
 
Other items on the approved list include:
               - Storage Bag:  One Gallon re-sealable clear plastic freezer bag.
                - Small Clutch Purse:  No larger than 4.5" x 6.5" with or without a handle or strap. 
                - Seat Cushion or Bleacher Chair:  No larger than 16" and no pockets. 
                - Small Diaper Bag:  Must be accompanied by a child. 
 
Prohibited items include:
                - Large Purse
                - Large Tote
                - Non-Clear/Printed Tote
                - Duffel Bag
                - Drawstring Bag
                - Backpack
                - Fanny Pack
                - Camera Bag

FOLLOW CHATTANOOGA BASKETBALL
Follow @GoMocsMBB on Twitter & on Instagram for the most up-to-date information and news regarding Chattanooga men's basketball.
 
GoMocs.com is the official website of the Chattanooga Mocs. Buy officially licensed gear in our online store. The Mocs can also be followed on their official Facebook page or on Twitter. Find out how to join the Mocs Club and support more than 300 student-athletes by clicking here.