Mocs' Basketball Welcomes Furman To McKenzie On Saturday

The Chattanooga Mocs men's basketball team is set for one of its most highly-anticipated matchups of the season as they welcome league-leader Furman in a 'GOLD RUSH' environment inside McKenzie Arena on Saturday afternoon. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. ET and will be nationally televised on CBS Sports Network.
 
The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive FREE 'Gold Rush' sixth-man t-shirts, powered by EPB. Lower bowl tickets are limited in quantity and will make for a fun atmosphere inside the Roundhouse.

Fans can purchase tickets online HERE or at the UTC McKenzie Arena Box Office on the day of the game with the window opening 90 minutes before tip.
 
Chattanooga (13-4, 3-1 SoCon) looks to rebound from its first league loss of the season after suffering a 70-59 defeat to Western Carolina on the road Wednesday night. Malachi Smith scored a game-high 33 points to notch his 10^th-straight game on the road with 20 or more points, a streak that dates back to last season's finale at Mercer.
 
Furman (12-6, 4-1 SoCon) took over the top spot in the SoCon standings after securing a 77-69 victory on the road at ETSU on Wednesday night. The Paladins have won the last eight meetings against the Mocs after the latter earned seven wins in nine tries. Furman's win streak in the series' history began on February 9, 2017 behind a 70-66 win in Greenville.
 
The game vs. Furman will be broadcasted LIVE nationally on CBS Sports Network with Pete Yannity (pxp) and Dean Keener (color) on the call. Fans can listen on WFLI 97.7 FM/1070 AM in Chattanooga as well as the Varsity Network app.
 
GAME BASICS
 Chattanooga (13-4, 3-1) vs. Furman (12-6, 4-1)
 3:00 p.m. ET | McKenzie Arena (10,995) | Chattanooga, Tenn.
 WATCH (CBS Sports Network) | LISTEN (WFLI 97.7FM/1050AM) | STATS
 HOW TO WATCH IN CHATTANOOGA: EPB (Ch. 176), DirecTV (Ch. 221), Xfinity (Ch. 720), Dish Network (Ch. 158), Spectrum (Ch. 303 or 818)
 BUY TICKETS | STUDENT TICKETS

GAME NOTES
Chattanooga | Furman (currently unavailable) | SoCon (Jan. 11)
 
SERIES HISTORY – 92^nd Meeting*
All-Time: 54-37 – Chattanooga
Last: 77-73, Furman – Dec. 30, 2020 (McKenzie Arena)
Home: 30-11 – Chattanooga
Away: 25-18 – Furman
Neutral: 6-1 – Chattanooga
*-Furman was won the last eight meetings.
 
TIP-OFF
- Chattanooga enters the game with an 13-4 record and a 3-1 mark in SoCon play... coming off a 70-59 defeat at Western Carolina on Wednesday... the matchup with Furman will be for first place in the league... the loss at WCU snapped a four-game win streak... looking to avoid back-to-back losses... happened just once this season (at Belmont, at Murray St.).
 
- Chattanooga has lost its last eight matchups against Furman... last meeting resulted in a 77-73 loss inside McKenzie Arena on Dec. 30, 2020... the loss marked the first of the season for UTC at the time (9-1)... David Jean-Baptiste (18) & KC Hankton (17) combined for 35 points... the second scheduled meeting between the two teams last season was PPD (COVID).
 
- Furman enters the matchup with a 12-6 overall record and a league-best 4-1 mark... the Paladins have won their last three and are coming off a 78-69 win over ETSU on the road on Wednesday... Furman has notched a win over a Power 5 program (Louisville) this season (80-72, OT, road)... has played four OT games this season... 3-1 in such games.

BY THE NUMBERS 
- After dropping 33 points at Western Carolina on Wednesday... Malachi Smith has 216 points (24.0 ppg) in nine road games with 20+ each time... 10 straight road games with 20+ dating back to the road finale at Mercer (22) last season… Smith's 11th 20pt effort of the season are the most since 13 by Z. Mason in 2013-14... DI era record is 22 for a season by Gerald Wilkins in 1984-85.
 
- Silvio De Sousa had six points, 11 rebounds, three blocks and two steals in 21:49 of playing time at WCU... team-high +7 scoring margin with him on the floor... fourth multi-block game in a row and ninth of the campaign... 38 boards in last 66 minutes… three straight double-digit rebound games for De Sousa... averaging 12.7rpg in league play... five of eight career 10+ rebound games have come this year.

- Chattanooga sits at No. 36 in the latest NET Rankings (1/13)... highest team in the SoCon... third highest in state of TN (Tennessee, 9 - Belmont, 28)… No. 11 in latest Collegeinsider.com Mid-Major Top 25.
 
FAN INFORMATION & COVID-19 GUIDELINES
Masks are no longer required for fans inside McKenzie, however, the use of masks is encouraged. McKenzie Arena and parking services will operate on a CASHLESS basis for the 2021-22 season. Ticket purchases at the box office will still accept cash. Will Call will be located at Gate 1.

CLEAR BAG POLICY
In an effort to enhance spectator safety and align with national best-practices, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Athletics Department has a clear bag policy for home games in all of its athletics facilities. 
 
Fans are allowed to bring in one plastic, vinyl or PVC clear bag that does not exceed 12" x 6" x 12" to home games.
 
Other items on the approved list include:
               - Storage Bag:  One Gallon re-sealable clear plastic freezer bag.
                - Small Clutch Purse:  No larger than 4.5" x 6.5" with or without a handle or strap. 
                - Seat Cushion or Bleacher Chair:  No larger than 16" and no pockets. 
                - Small Diaper Bag:  Must be accompanied by a child. 
 
Prohibited items include:
                - Large Purse
                - Large Tote
                - Non-Clear/Printed Tote
                - Duffel Bag
                - Drawstring Bag
                - Backpack
                - Fanny Pack
                - Camera Bag