Mocs Face Paladins in SoCon Battle

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The UT Chattanooga Mocs (11-7, 3-2 SoCon) come into Bons Secours Wellness Arena to face off with the Furman Paladins (15-3, 3-2 SoCon) in a battle of top mid major teams. UT Chatt comes in after a huge win over Wofford 83-81 in overtime on the 15th, while Furman also on the 15th was able to pick up a win over ETSU 73-70.

Nick Anderson to Eddrin Bronson in the lane! pic.twitter.com/u63qTiKyQS

— Furman Basketball (@FurmanMBB) January 18, 2025

First Half

Furman comes out strong and has a 11-2 lead with just over 13 minutes to play as UT is struggling to get shots off and clear passes. UT is shooting 9.1% from FG range with no shots from the 3-point arch. The first media timeout brings us to a huge play by Furman’s Guard House hitting a layup plus the foul, and Furman leads 15-5 with 11:55 to go in the half. The Paladins are still giving the Mocs are rough time of it and the score is 22-6 with 8:30 left in the half, as the Mocs are looking for answers to the Furman defense. The Mocs are shooting 14.3% from 3-point range, 11.8% from FG range and have 3 steals with 10 rebounds at this point. The Mocs come to a media timeout down 8-22 to the Paladins here in Greenville, S.C. The Paladins are shooting 53.8% from FG range, 28.6 from 3-point range, and have 3 steals and 11 rebounds.

Furman controlling things early. Struggling to find the bottom of the net.

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(1H 7:52)
Furman 22, Chattanooga 8

— Chattanooga Basketball (@GoMocsMBB) January 18, 2025

The Mocs at the media timeout with 3:48 left in the half are down 26-17 and are finally getting some much-needed baskets to keep this game close. Mocs shooting 25% from the 3-point line, 25% from FG range, and have 13 rebounds and 5 steals. The half is ending with Furman on a tear making sure the Mocs don’t get any closer than 8 points to the lead. The score is at 34-25 with 27 seconds left in the first half. The Mocs get a much-needed basket before halftime and its 34-27 Furman over the UT Chattanooga Mocs.

@GoMocsMBB 34@FurmanMBB 27
Halftime at @BSWArena @SSN_Furman @SSN_CBB @SSN_SoCon @SoConJohn22 @SoConSports @DaFanboys @JDWyatt06 @MarkLiving40700 @DafanboysC @GreenvilleSM @GreenvillSMedia @DaFanBoysJ pic.twitter.com/zw0rO3KJ79

— The Furman Joust (@DaFanBoys_) January 18, 2025

Second Half
Furman jumps out to a 13-point lead straight out of the locker room, and the crowd at the Well is energized by the play and dunk of Cooper Bowser. The Mocs get a much-needed basket and get the lead down to 8 points with 15 minutes left in the game. The Mocs are shooting 36.7% from FG range, 18.2% from 3-point range, and 84% from the free throw line. They have 22 rebounds, with 6 steals and face a 37-43 deficit with 14 minutes left in the game.

Fast pace to begin the second half 💨 pic.twitter.com/vMzVQIipzY

— Chattanooga Basketball (@GoMocsMBB) January 18, 2025

The Mocs get back in the game with two quick scores and now its 43-41 the Paladins still leading over the Mocs with 13:48 left in the game. The Mocs after some mistakes by Furman have once again climbed back into the game 47-49 with 10:45 remaining in the game. The Mocs are led by Frank Champion with 10 points and 6 rebounds so far in the game with Trey Bonham with 9 points.

Not a lot of whistles here & the fast pace continues.

We've reached the under 12 media.

(2H 11:30)
Furman 48, Chattanooga 43 pic.twitter.com/QxkVixlqWV

— Chattanooga Basketball (@GoMocsMBB) January 18, 2025

Media timeout with 7:32 left in the game as the Mocs are down 56-50 to the Paladins, shooting 39.5% from FG range, and 18.2% from 3-point range, with 29 rebounds and 9 steals against the Paladins. Frank Champion still leads the way with 12 points 6 rebounds, Trey Bonham has 9 points and 3 steals, and Huff and Wieland have 7 points apiece as we are getting down to the end of the game here. The Mocs get the score and the foul and take the lead with 4:34 left in the game as Collin Mulholland gets the Mocs up 60-58 over the Paladins. The Paladins take a time out and its 65-60 Mocs up on the Paladins here at BSWA with 3:24 left in the game. The Mocs are in the lead with under a minute to go, Furman hits a huge three and its 69-66 Mocs in the lead with 54.3 seconds left. Both teams only have 1 time out left and the Furman crowd is getting loud, the Mocs are going to have to overcome the noise but end up with a shot clock violation turnover. There is 21 seconds left in the game and Furman is on the line and get 1 in its 69-67 with UT going to the line now after a foul by Furman and the Mocs get one in and then Furman gets the ball and quickly get a three in by PJay Smith with 11.2 seconds left and its 71-70 UT Chattanooga over Furman.

HONOR STEAL & BUCKET 💨 pic.twitter.com/Hh3REoa4Pv

— Chattanooga Basketball (@GoMocsMBB) January 18, 2025

The Paladins get a quick foul and with 8.6 seconds left the Mocs go to the line and hit the first shot and its 72-70 Mocs and the second goes up and its in. The Mocs are up by three 73-70 and we have a timeout as now it’s no more timeouts for either team, we will settle it now to see who comes out the winner. After a long discussion about a foul on PJay Smith which looked like a three point shot it is ruled a two-point free throw, Smith hits one then goes to get the rebound on the other, but UT gets it and gets fouled and goes to the free line and the Mocs hold on to win the game 75-71.