CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. --- The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men's basketball team faces the Southern Conference North Division leader for the second straight game Saturday hosting Appalachian State (12-8/6-3).  The Mountaineers are tied for first with Western Carolina, which the Mocs dispatched 80-67 on Thursday night.

Chattanooga (12-10/4-5) will try to slow a good shooting App State team.  The Mocs lead the SoCon in field goal percentage defense holding opponents to 40.8 percent, while ASU leads the league in field goal percentage shooting at 47.1 percent.

Rebounding is a key in this contest.  App State leads the conference averaging 38.2 boards per game just ahead of the Mocs' 38.0 average.

Chattanooga senior Ty Patterson paces the Mocs averaging 15.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game while shooting 39.5 percent (3.4 made per game) from three-point range.  Ricky Taylor has scored in double figures in seven straight games averaging 11 points per game overall.

Junior forward Ridge McKeither is an important cog for the Mocs.  McKeither is averaging 8.7 points and 5.5 boards per contest.  He scored 12 of his 15 points keying a second surge for the win over Western Carolina on Thursday.

The Mountaineers boast one of the SoCon's top guards in junior Donald Sime.  The Gaffney, S.C., native is averaging 19.1 points per game while shooting 43.1 percent from three-point range and 94.7 percent from the free throw line.  Kellen Brand adds 9.9 points per contest, while center Isaac Butts chips in averages of 8.7 points and 8.1 boards.

Saturday's game sponsor is Erlanger.  Erlanger will hand out free mini-basketballs to the first 500 fans in attendance.

It is also Coaches vs. Cancer Suits & Sneakers night.  The coaching staff will wear sneakers with their suits to promote cancer awareness.  As part of the initiative, head coach John Shulman is challenging Mocs fans to accept the "3-point Challenge," which is to pledge $1 per every three-point shot the Mocs make in the matchup with the Mountaineers.

WHO:  Trousdale School Students.  There will be 24 students from the Trousdale School in Cleveland, Tenn., forming the introduction line for the Mocs during the announcement of the starting lineup.  The Trousdale School is committed to providing an environment that promotes maximum educational, physical, social and spiritual growth to high functioning adults with mental disabilities.

WHAT:  Appalachian State (12-8/6-3) at Chattanooga (12-10/4-5).  The Mocs lead the series 39-27 with a 22-7 record at home.  The Mocs are 6-4 against the Mountaineers in the last 10 meetings.

WHEN:  Saturday, Jan. 30, 7:30 p.m. (ET) in the McKenzie Arena (10,928).  The game follows the Lady Mocs and Elon which tips at 5 p.m.  It will not start earlier than 7:30, but should the Lady Mocs game end after 7, the men's game will tip 30 minutes later.

WHERE:  Chattanooga games are broadcast on the Mocs Sports Network with Jim Reynolds calling the play-by-play.  It can be listened to locally on ESPN 105.1 FM and worldwide on GoMocs.com where fans can watch the game online.

HOW:  The Mocs out-scored Western Carolina 51-31 in the second half after trailing, 36-29, at the break.  It was the eighth time this season that the Mocs won when trailing or tied at some point in the second half.

PROBABLE STARTERS:  F -Ty Patterson, Sr. (15.6, 5.2); F - Ridge McKeither, Jr. (8.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg); C - Jeremy Saffore, Jr. (7.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg); G - Keegan Bell, So. (7.4 ppg, 4.6 apg); G - Ricky Taylor, So., (11.0, 3.4).