Updated

Z. Mason had 23 points and Gee McGhee had 16 points and 15 rebounds as Chattanooga defeated Western Carolina 83-73 on Friday night.

Chattanooga (16-11, 10-2 Southern Conference) used a 14-3 run early in the second half to build a 65-49 advantage with 12:05 to play.

Western Carolina answered with 12 straight points and closed within 65-61 on James Sinclair's 3-pointer with 7:21 left, but could get no closer from there.

After the Mocs opened with a 17-4 lead, the Catamounts fought back with a 14-2 run late in the first and closed the deficit at halftime to 42-38.

Casey Jones scored 14 points, Ronrico White had 11 and Martynas Bareika 10 as Chattanooga outrebounded WCU 49-38.

Brandon Boggs had 21 points to lead the way for Western Carolina (14-12, 7-4). Sinclair added 15 and Trey Sumler had 12.