STATS | NOTES | QUOTES | PHOTO GALLERY
 
CHATTANOOGA---The Chattanooga Mocs dropped their first home game of the season in a 79-64 loss to UNCG Saturday evening. The loss drops UTC to 24-5 overall, 13-3 with a one-game lead in the Southern Conference standings.
 
Justin Tuoyo led the Mocs with 14 points. Chuck Ester added 12 points, six rebounds and three assists, while Dee Oldham chipped in 12 points and five rebounds off the bench.
 
R.J. White and Diante Baldwin combined for 48 points to pace the Spartan effort. White's 26 is a season-high against the Mocs eclipsing Malcolm Hill who tallied 25 in the November win over Illinois. Baldwin turned in 22 with five assists and three steals.
 
"We didn't double (White) one time, not one time," coach Matt McCall stated. "We worked on that yesterday in practice and for some reason, we didn't do it a single time tonight. That was the difference in the game. You can't put that guy on an island; he's too good.
 
"We had no answer for Diante Baldwin either. We kept blowing pick-and-roll coverages. All we did yesterday was work on doubling the post and pick-and-roll coverage. We did a poor job doing both of those things today."
 
After trailing by as many as 18 in the first half, Chattanooga made a charge out of the break. They cut it to four twice. The first coming on two Greg Pryor free throws at 17:52 and again two-plus minutes later on a Tre' McLean triple from the right side.
 
It was a six-point affair before a 14-2 Spartans run. Baldwin's three-point play with 3:17 to go gave the visitors a 72-54 advantage.
 
Four free throws from Justin Tuoyo, who tied his career high with 10 made in the contest, and a three-pointer from Alex Bran gave the crowd life, but UNCG would not fold. The game drew 5,718 which is the largest crowd for a SoCon team this season.
 
The Spartans shot 67.4 percent from the field missing just five shots in the second half (17-22, 77.3%). They made seven of 14 (50%) from long range.
 
On the flip side, the Mocs could not warm up. They miss-fired for a season-low 35.1 percent performance (20-57). That included a six-for-29 night from beyond the arc (20.7%).
 
"We need to utilize this week of practice to get better," McCall added. "For them to come in our building and shoot 67% and we give up 79 points. I don't remember them missing in the second half to be honest with you. We tried man, we tried zone, the only thing we didn't try to do was double the post, which we should have done all game. We wanted to do that, and we didn't do it."
 
Next up is Senior Day next Saturday against Samford at 5 p.m., in a double-header with the women. It is also Military Appreciation Day with all active and former military as well as local heroes in fire, police and first responders getting in free.
 
It airs on the SoCon Digital Network online and the Mocs Sports Network through 96.1 the Legend FM in Chattanooga. Check the men's basketball schedule page on GoMocs.com for links to video, audio and live stats. Follow @GoMocsMBB for live tweets.
 
GoMocs.com is the official website of the Chattanooga Mocs.  The Mocs can also be followed on their official Facebook page or on Twitter.  Find out how to join the UTC Mocs Club and support more than 300 student-athletes by clicking here.
 
ABOUT CHATTANOOGA BASKETBALL
- The Mocs are by far the most successful program in the Southern Conference since joining the league in 1977-78. The team has won 28 titles with 10 regular season, 10 tournament and eight division.
- 15 NCAA Tournament Appearances: 1961 (DII), 1973 (DII), 1975 (DII), 1976 (DII Runner-up), 1977 (DII National Champs), 1981, 1982, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997 (Sweet 16), 2005, 2009
- 10 SoCon Tournament Crowns: 1981, 1982, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2005, 2009
- 10 SoCon Regular Season Championships: 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994
- 8 Division Titles: 1995, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2011
- The 1997 team went to the NCAA Sweet 16 with wins over Georgia and Illinois.
- 5 SoCon Players of the Year: Willie White (1981-82), Keith Nelson (1991-92), Tim Brooks (1992-93), Chad Copeland (1993-94) and Johnny Taylor (1996-97).
- 2 SoCon Defensive Player of the Year: Z. Mason (2014), Justin Tuoyo (2015).
- 3 SoCon Coaches of the Year: Murray Arnold (1982, '83), Mack McCarthy (1986, '92, '93) and Will Wade (2014).
- 9 NBA Draft Picks: Walter "Moose" McGary (1973 & '74), William Gordon (1977), Wayne Golden (1977), Russ Schoene (1982), Nick Morken (1982), Willie White (1984), Gerald Wilkins (1985, 13 seasons) and Johnny Taylor (1997 1st Round).