CHATTANOOGA - The first half of Tuesday night's game was dominated by Marshall. The second half was all about the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
The entire game featured UTC's Tre' McLean.
The 6-foot-5 senior guard finished with a career-high 35 points, including 20 in the second half, as the Mocs won 96-85 over the Thundering Herd at McKenzie Arena in the first game of a once-bitter rivalry in six seasons.
UTC (7-2) hosts NAIA member Tennessee Wesleyan on Dec. 14.
The Mocs shot 68 percent from the field and 88 percent (22-of-25) on free throws, while committing only two turnovers in the final 20 minutes of a game they trailed 41-33 at the break. They pounded the paint for 46 points, with 28 coming in the second half.
"This was the first real competitive game for us since Tennessee," McLean said. "In the first half, we didn't do a good job of handling adversity, but at halftime we talked about embracing it and having fun.
"I told the guys that this was our one chance to play in front of these fans tonight."