Box Score - Notes/Quotes

CULLOWHEE, N.C. (January 17, 2026) – Behind an incredible second-half shooting performance, the Chattanooga Mocs men's basketball team earned its third-straight victory after yet another comeback effort led to a thrilling 90-82 victory over Western Carolina during Southern Conference action on Saturday afternoon inside the Ramsey Center in Cullowhee, N.C.
 
Following Chattanooga's third-straight win, the team improves to 9-10 overall this season and evens its league record at 3-3. Western Carolina moves to 6-11 overall and drops to 2-4 inside conference play.
 
For the second-straight game, Chattanooga used an emphatic late-game shooting performance to help erase a double-digit deficit to its opponent. UTC shot a blistering 64.3% (18-of-28) from the floor including a 66.7% (10-of-15) mark from three over the game's final 20 minutes to help pull away from WCU down the stretch.

Quick Records
Chattanooga: 9-10, 3-3 SoCon
Western Carolina: 6-11, 2-4 SoCon

Series History
Meeting: 106th | UTC leads 74-32 (H: 41-7; A: 26-23; N: 7-2)
*UTC now leads 62-29 in SoCon regular season meetings
 
Dan Earl, Head Coach
Overall (11th): 150-187 - *Dan Earl's 150^th career win
at Chattanooga (4th): 77-48, 37-23 SoCon
vs. Western Carolina: 12-8 (H: 5-3; A: 5-6; N: 1-0)

Game Breakdown
Western Carolina opened the game connecting on seven of its first 10 shots to grab a fast 15-5 (15:10) and force Chattanooga into an early timeout. Billy Smith and Tate Darner hit back-to-back threes to make it 15-11 before the Catamounts answered with an 11-0 scoring run to grab a sizable 26-11 (9:30) edge halfway through the opening half.
 
Jordan Frison knocked down a pair of free throws to trim the deficit to 11, 31-20 (6:15), before WCU's steady shooting effort helped maintain a double-digit lead, 38-28, with just over three minutes left in the half. The Mocs ultimately outscored the Catamounts 17-6 over the final five minutes to head into the halftime break down by just five, 42-37.
 
Chattanooga opened the second half with a monster 12-1 run highlighted by three takeaways and transition layups from Darner and Jikari Johnson to help open a six-point lead, 49-43 (16:47). A three-point barrage broke out with the two teams combining for 12 triples over the first 10 minutes of the half as WCU held a slight 75-72 lead with 9:07 remaining.
 
UTC used a Darner layup, a Frison floater and a Billy Smith three in consecutive possessions to break a 75-all tie and put the team on a 7-2 scoring run, allowing for an 82-77 lead with 5:04 to play. The Mocs wouldn't allow the Catamounts to get any closer than three points down the stretch before Collin Mulholland banked in a dagger three with 47 seconds left to put the squad up six (88-82) ahead of the eventual 90-82 final.
 
Inside the Box Score
· Chattanooga scored 53 points in the second half… most in the second half (vs. DI opponent this season)… most second-half points in a road game since dropping 50 at?... Western Carolina on 1/31/2024.
 
· Chattanooga shot a blistering 64.3% (18-of-28) from the floor in the second half… went 10-of-15 (66.7%) from 3FG over the final 20 minutes… finished the game shooting 52.8% (28-of-53) and 51.6% (16-of-31) from 3FG in total… the 16 3FGM is a season-high against a DI opponent.
 
· Chattanooga dominated the transition game with an emphatic 16-0 edge in fast-break points… third-straight game with 15+ points off the break… UTC has outscored its opponents 55-24 off the break during its current three-game win streak.

3 Notes to Know
· Chattanooga earned its third-straight win following a 90-82 victory at Western Carolina on Saturday inside the Ramsey Center in Cullowhee, N.C…. UTC improves to 9-10 overall and 3-3 inside SoCon play… Dan Earl's 150^th win as a DI bench boss.
 
· G Jordan Frison appeared in his 80^th career game between NCAA DII and DI… has started all 80 games between DII Pittsburg State (61) and Chattanooga (19)… led the team in scoring for the fourth-straight game with 19… went 5-of-8 FG (2-of-4 3FG)… perfect 7-of-7 from the FT line… added six rebounds… surpassed 1,200 career points (entered with 1,183).
 
· G Brennan Watkins appeared in his 100^th career game at the NCAA DI level… 52 at VMI (2021-24), 29 at North Dakota State (2024-25) and now 19 at Chattanooga… finished with 10 points and a team-high seven rebounds during 30 minutes of action… the seven rebounds are a career-high against a DI opponent.

Postgame Quotes
F Collin Mulholland on today's effort – "Yeah, that felt pretty good. To get our third win in a row, it feels like we're getting some momentum. It really helps boost everyone's confidence, especially when everyone came in and contributed. We're getting a little bit closer to where we need to be, but this does feel good. The bank also felt pretty good, but it was more of just betting back in that rhythm and making a major impact on the outcome."

Up Next | Schedule
Chattanooga returns home for a nationally televised Southern Conference rivalry contest against ETSU inside McKenzie Arena. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. (ET) on ESPNU. Limited lower bowl tickets are available and can be purchased at the schedule link above.  

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