CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Interstat) — The Citadel Bulldogs, defying overwhelming odds and a hostile road environment, snapped a two-game skid with a gritty 78-71 victory over the Chattanooga Mocs in a Southern Conference men’s basketball clash Saturday afternoon at McKenzie Arena.

A crowd of 3,750 watched as The Citadel, a 9.5-point underdog with a win probability below six percent according to pregame analytics, executed with precision down the stretch to secure just its ninth win of the season. The Bulldogs improved to 9-16 overall, while Chattanooga fell to 10-15.

The game’s decisive sequence unfolded in the final minutes with The Citadel clinging to a narrow lead. After Chattanooga’s Jordan Frison hit a layup to pull the Mocs within 67-66 with 1:07 remaining, The Citadel’s Sola Adebisi answered immediately. The 6-foot-7 forward from Alpharetta, Georgia, converted a crucial layup off an assist from Braxton Williams to push the lead back to three.

On the ensuing possession, Chattanooga’s Tate Darner buried a deep 3-pointer, tying the game at 69 with 36 seconds left, seemingly shifting momentum to the home team. The Bulldogs, however, remained composed. Logan Applegate was fouled and calmly sank both free throws to regain a 71-69 edge. After a defensive stop, Eze Wali was fouled and also made both attempts from the line, extending the lead to four with 27 seconds left.

Chattanooga’s final attempts to close the gap were thwarted by missed shots and key defensive rebounds by The Citadel, with Carter Kingsbury securing the final board as time expired. The Bulldogs sealed the game at the free-throw line, finishing 11 of 13 from the stripe, while the Mocs managed just 6 of 8.

The victory was anchored by a standout performance from Adebisi, who erupted for a game-high 18 points on 8-of-14 shooting, adding five rebounds, an assist, a block, and two steals. His efficiency and timely scoring marked a significant resurgence after being held to just four points in The Citadel’s previous outing.

He was complemented by a balanced offensive effort. Braxton Williams also scored 18 points, including four 3-pointers. Carter Kingsbury added 16 points, six rebounds, and two steals, while Eze Wali provided 11 points and a game-high five assists. Logan Applegate contributed nine points, six rebounds, and stout defense off the bench.

Chattanooga was led by the dynamic scoring of Jordan Frison, who poured in 24 points on 10-of-19 shooting. Brennan Watkins added 15 points, and Tate Darner finished with nine points and seven rebounds. The Mocs’ offense, however, was hampered by ball security issues, committing 12 turnovers that led to 16 Citadel points. The Bulldogs also dished out 10 assists to Chattanooga’s five, illustrating superior ball movement.

The Citadel set an early tone, building a 37-32 halftime lead behind active defense that generated seven first-half steals. While Chattanooga battled back in the second half, tying the game on multiple occasions, the Bulldogs consistently had an answer, particularly in the paint where they held a 38-36 advantage.

Statistically, the teams were remarkably even from the field, each making 28 or 29 shots and hitting nine 3-pointers. The difference came at the free-throw line and in key hustle categories. The Citadel’s ability to convert opportunities off turnovers and maintain composure in the final minute proved the difference in a hard-fought conference road win.

The Bulldogs look to build on the momentum when they travel to face Western Carolina on Wednesday. Chattanooga aims to regroup on the road at East Tennessee State, also on Wednesday.