Mocs unable to overcome slow start in loss to Western Carolina
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ UTC's Brennan Watkins (1) shoots for the basket. The UTC Mocs hosted a match against Western Carolina's Catamounts at McKenzie Arena on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ UTC's Brennan Watkins (1) shoots for the basket. The UTC Mocs hosted a match against Western Carolina's Catamounts at McKenzie Arena on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
The struggles of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men’s basketball team this season continued Saturday, when the Mocs spotted Western Carolina an 18-point lead before rallying. But they were unable to make plays down the stretch t0 complete the comeback and suffered an 81-76 loss to the Catamounts at McKenzie Arena.
Now 10-17 overall on the season and 4-10 in the Southern Conference, the Mocs are at Mercer on Thursday and at The Citadel on Feb. 21 before returning home for the final two regular-season games against UNC Greensboro and Virginia Military Institute the following week.
Jordan Frison scored a team-high 20 points, followed by Teddy Washington, Jr. with 13 and Tate Darner with 12. Sophomore forward Collin Mulholland had nine points and matched Frison with six assists, but the Mocs were limited to just eight made 3-pointers on 28 attempts and were out-rebounded 41-26.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ UTC’s Teddy Washington Jr. (10) runs the ball with Western Carolina’s Marcus Kell (23) running ahead. The UTC Mocs hosted a match against Western Carolina’s Catamounts at McKenzie Arena on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ UTC Head Coach Dan Earl coaches his team during a timeout. The UTC Mocs hosted a match against Western Carolina’s Catamounts at McKenzie Arena on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Western Carolina Head Coach Tim Craft coaches his team in the first half. The UTC Mocs hosted a match against Western Carolina’s Catamounts at McKenzie Arena on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Western Carolina’s Abdulai Fanta Kabba (7) catches a stray ball. The UTC Mocs hosted a match against Western Carolina’s Catamounts at McKenzie Arena on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Western Carolina’s Marcus Kell (23) leaps toward the basket as UTC’s Collin Mulholland (21) reaches out to the ball. The UTC Mocs hosted a match against Western Carolina’s Catamounts at McKenzie Arena on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Western Carolina’s Samuel Dada (12) leaps for the ball. The UTC Mocs hosted a match against Western Carolina’s Catamounts at McKenzie Arena on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ UTC’s Brennan Watkins (1) shoots for the basket. The UTC Mocs hosted a match against Western Carolina’s Catamounts at McKenzie Arena on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
The Catamounts had 18 offensive rebounds, leading to 20 second-chance points. They also finished 20-for-25 from the free-throw line, compared to UTC, which made all six of its attempts.
