UTC men can’t overcome poor first half in loss to Tennessee State
Staff photo by Robin Rudd / UTC's Billy Smith passes during the Mocs' game against Tennessee State in the Coke Zero Sugar Classic finale Sunday at McKenzie Arena. The Mocs lost 70-64, ending a three-game winning streak overall and a nine-game run of home wins dating to last season. Staff photo by Robin Rudd / UTC's Billy Smith passes during the Mocs' game against Tennessee State in the Coke Zero Sugar Classic finale Sunday at McKenzie Arena. The Mocs lost 70-64, ending a three-game winning streak overall and a nine-game run of home wins dating to last season.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men’s basketball team couldn’t overcome a poor first-half performance Sunday at McKenzie Arena, with the Mocs losing 70-64 to Tennessee State in the final game of the Coke Zero Sugar Classic.
UTC, the reigning Southern Conference regular-season and National Invitation Tournament champion, finished the first month of the new season 4-4 as the Mocs’ streak of wins ended at three. Tennessee State, an Ohio Valley Conference program, headed home to Nashville on a three-game winning streak as the Tigers improved to 5-3 overall.
Sunday’s matchup amounted to a de facto championship game for the three-team, three-day Coke Zero Sugar Classic, which included Tennessee Wesleyan, an NAIA program from nearby Athens. The Bulldogs lost 109-59 to the Mocs on Friday and lost 98-77 to the Tigers on Saturday.
It was also the third date of a five-game homestand for the Mocs, who had won nine in a row at McKenzie dating to last season and will next face Southeast Missouri at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / UTC head coach Dan Earl instructs Brennan Watkins (1) and Teddy Washington Jr. (10). The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Mocs hosted the Tennessee State Tigers at McKenzie Arena on Nov. 30, 2025.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / UTC’s Billy Smith defends against State’s Travis Harper II’s (2) three point shot. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Mocs hosted the Tennessee State Tigers at McKenzie Arena on Nov. 30, 2025.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / UTC’s Jikari Bleshoy (3) tries a three point shot. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Mocs hosted the Tennessee State Tigers at McKenzie Arena on Nov. 30, 2025.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / UTC’s Billy Smith (11) fires a three point shot. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Mocs hosted the Tennessee State Tigers at McKenzie Arena on Nov. 30, 2025.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / UTC’s Sean Cusano (7) looks to pass. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Mocs hosted the Tennessee State Tigers at McKenzie Arena on Nov. 30, 2025.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / UTC’s Tate Darner (2) drives to the basket. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Mocs hosted the Tennessee State Tigers at McKenzie Arena on Nov. 30, 2025.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / UTC’s Tate Darner (0) tries to go baseline as State’s Travis Harper II (2) defends. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Mocs hosted the Tennessee State Tigers at McKenzie Arena on Nov. 30, 2025.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / UTC’s Teddy Washington Jr. (10) tries to get inside the Tiger defense. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Mocs hosted the Tennessee State Tigers at McKenzie Arena on Nov. 30, 2025.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / UTC’s Jordan Frison (5) dribbles against State’s Dante Harris (10). The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Mocs hosted the Tennessee State Tigers at McKenzie Arena on Nov. 30, 2025.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / State’s Dante Harris (10) pulls down a rebound as teammate Carlous Williams (12) boxes out UTC’s Sebastian Hartmann (2). The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Mocs hosted the Tennessee State Tigers at McKenzie Arena on Nov. 30, 2025.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Nolan Smith is the head Boca of the Tigers. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Mocs hosted the Tennessee State Tigers at McKenzie Arena on Nov. 30, 2025.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / UTC’s Sebastian Hartmann (2) drives to the basket against Travis Harper II (2). The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Mocs hosted the Tennessee State Tigers at McKenzie Arena on Nov. 30, 2025.Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / UTC’s Jordan Frison (5) passes against the Tiger press. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Mocs hosted the Tennessee State Tigers at McKenzie Arena on Nov. 30, 2025.Staff photo by Robin Rudd / UTC’s Billy Smith passes during the Mocs’ game against Tennessee State in the Coke Zero Sugar Classic finale Sunday at McKenzie Arena. The Mocs lost 70-64, ending a three-game winning streak overall and a nine-game run of home wins dating to last season.
Tate Darner led UTC with 16 points, Billy Smith joined him in double figures with 11, and each hit a trio of 3-pointers, but the Mocs shot just 36% from the field as a team and struggled at times defensively.
