CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Interstat) — The Chattanooga Mocs built a large first-half lead and withstood a second-half surge to defeat the Samford Bulldogs 88-79 in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Saturday at McKenzie Arena.

Chattanooga led 49-28 at halftime before Samford answered with 51 points after the break. The Mocs secured the win by converting 11 points off turnovers and scoring 38 points in the paint. Attendance was 4,312.

With the result, Chattanooga improves to 7-10 overall. Samford drops to 9-8. The teams will meet again in Birmingham on Jan. 24.