BOX |
NOTES/QUOTES
CHATTANOOGA (January 9, 2025) – In a back-and-forth thriller, the Chattanooga Mocs men's basketball team suffered a 78-75 buzzer-beating defeat to UNCG during Southern Conference action on Thursday evening in front of 2,867 fans inside McKenzie Arena.
Chattanooga (9-7, 1-2 SoCon) tied the game, 75-75, after
Honor Huff connected on his first triple of the game with just 3.1 seconds on the clock. UNCG (10-6, 3-0 SoCon) saw guard Ronald Polite III take a few dribbles after a rolled inbounds pass and knock down a contested three at the buzzer to give the Spartans a 78-75 road victory.
The Mocs finished the game shooting a season-best 58.5% (31-of-53) from the field despite connecting on just 38.9% (7-of-18) of its three-point attempts. UTC's FG% total (.585) marked the highest in a losing effort in program history, topping a 52.0% (26-of-50) performance in an 86-77 defeat to College of Charleston back on February 23, 2008.
UNCG's trio of prolific scorers in Donovan Atwell (28), Kenyon Giles (26) and Polite III (16) combined for 70 of the team's 78 points during the victory while shooting a combined 59.5% (25-of-42) from the floor including a 61.1% mark (11-of-18) from deep.
Bash Wieland led the Mocs with a team-high 22 points to notch his second-straight 20+ scoring effort.
RECORDS/SERIES – Chattanooga 9-7, 1-2 · UNCG 10-6, 3-0 · 57th Meeting · UNCG now leads 29-28.
GAME FLOW/INSIDE THE BOX
1H 16:39 –
Bash Wieland buried a corner three to give UTC an early five-point lead, 11-6.
1H 14:19 –
Trey Bonham's jumper gave the Mocs seven makes in seven attempts as the lead was just one, 15-14.
1H 11:54 –
Jack Kostel found his stroke from behind the arc to put the hosts up 20-16 near the midway point of the half.
1H 7:50 –
Frank Champion finished at the rim to cap off a 14-3 UTC run which allowed for 29-19 advantage.
1H 6:07 – Kenyon Giles (UNCG) ended the guests 8-0 quick response with a pull-up jumper, bringing UNCG within two, 29-27.
1H 3:07 – Giles (UNCG) found the bottom of the net from deep to tie the game 33-33 at the final media of the half.
1H 0:05 – Giles (UNCG) capped off an 11-point opening half with a go-ahead floater before the halftime buzzer.
HALF – UNCG 38, Chattanooga 36
2H 16:16 – The Spartans built a four-point lead, 50-46, on a Donovan Atwell (UNCG) triple.
2H 13:05 – UNCG's lead grew to five, its largest of the game, at 57-52 following a Ronald Polite III (UNCG) deep ball.
2H 11:24 – Wieland capped off an 8-0 UTC run with a successful and-one conversion in the midst of a chaotic offensive possession.
2H 2:37 – Back-and-forth action saw Bonham and Atwell (UNCG) trade free throws which allowed for a 68-68 tie down the stretch.
2H 0:03 –
Honor Huff buried a game-tying triple, his first and only of the game, to send McKenzie Arena into a frenzy with the score locked at 75-75.
2H 0:00 – Polite III (UNCG) captured the last laugh with a game-winning buzzer beater from behind the arc.
FINAL – UNCG 78, Chattanooga 75
KEY NOTES | MORE
∙ UTC has now lost its last five games inside McKenzie Arena against UNCG… six of the last seven… now 15-12 all-time against the Spartans inside the Roundhouse.
∙ Chattanooga finished the game shooting a season-high 58.5% (31-53) from the field… highest FG% in a losing effort in program history… bested a 52.0% (26-50) performance during an 86-77 home loss to College of Charleston back on February 23, 2009.
∙ UTC allowed UNCG to shoot an efficient 53.7% (29-54) from the floor during the loss… fifth time this season allowing an opponent to shoot 50.0% or better… 0-5 in such games.
POSTGAME QUOTES | MORE
HC Dan Earl on defensive effort and concern level.
"Yes. And even more concerned right now. We have to get guys playing tougher, harder, and communicating more. We have to figure out what to do and it's very concerning to be honest. Whether we have to jump things up more, hold guys more accountable, we try a lot of those things obviously, something has to work. We can't allow them to get shots off like that and we have to be better on that side."
UP NEXT – Chattanooga vs. VMI – Saturday, Jan. 11 – 2 p.m. ET – ESPN+ – McKenzie Arena
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.
