NCAAB · Final

VMI Keydets Defeat Chattanooga Mocs 79-71 at Home

Saturday, January 3, 2026, 1:00 PM ET · Cameron Hall

VMI Keydets 79, Chattanooga Mocs 71, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Chattanooga Mocs vs VMI Keydets?

VMI Keydets beat Chattanooga Mocs 79-71 at Cameron Hall on January 3, 2026.

Who was favored in Chattanooga Mocs vs VMI Keydets?

Chattanooga Mocs were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -270 (about 73% implied). The underdog won.

In a closely contested matchup, the VMI Keydets emerged victorious against the Chattanooga Mocs with a final score of 79-71 at Cameron Hall. This win marks a significant moment for the Keydets, who have struggled recently but managed to turn the tide in this game. The Keydets improved their record to 7-9, while the Mocs fell to 6-10.

Both teams entered the game with identical records of 6-9, but their recent forms told different stories. The Keydets had a 2-8 record over their last ten games, with their scoring average being 69.9 points per game while allowing 77.7. They were on a two-game losing streak prior to this win. In contrast, the Mocs had a more balanced record of 5-5 in their last ten games, averaging 78.2 points scored and allowing 68.6 points per game. However, they were coming off a loss, which halted their momentum.

At home, the Keydets had a record of 2-3, while the Mocs held a 2-3 record in away games. This fixture was particularly noteworthy as it was a chance for the Keydets to break their losing streak and gain confidence moving forward. The previous meetings between these two teams had not favored VMI; they had lost both encounters in the 2025 season, including a significant defeat of 70-91 at home.

In terms of injuries, the block did not provide any specific details, but the implications of player availability can always play a crucial role in the outcome of such games. The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had the Mocs favored with a spread of 6.5 points, indicating expectations for their performance based on prior results.

The game conditions were typical for a winter basketball matchup, and the atmosphere in Cameron Hall was charged, with fans eager to see their team break a losing streak. The Keydets capitalized on their home court advantage, which was evident in their performance.

As the game progressed, key moments defined the outcome. In the second half, Tan Yildizoglu made a crucial layup that brought the Mocs within striking distance, but the Keydets responded effectively. Billy Smith hit a significant three-point jumper, and Alexander Daushvili contributed with free throws that helped maintain the Keydets' lead. The final moments saw AJ Clark sealing the victory with successful free throws, bringing the score to 79-71.

This victory not only boosts the Keydets' morale but also sets the stage for their upcoming games as they look to build on this performance. The Mocs, on the other hand, will need to regroup and address their defensive issues to avoid further losses.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	UTC -6.5	149.5 o -110 / u -110	Chattanooga Mocs -270 · VMI Keydets +220

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsTan Yildizoglu22VMI Keydets
AssistsTan Yildizoglu6VMI Keydets
ReboundsAlexander Daushvili9VMI Keydets
PointsBilly Smith17Chattanooga Mocs
AssistsJordan Frison4Chattanooga Mocs
ReboundsTate Darner5Chattanooga Mocs

Recent form

VMI Keydets

Last 10: 2-8Streak L269.9 scored · 77.7 allowed per game2-3 at home

L58-78vs Samford BulldogsJan 1
L90-97at Radford HighlandersDec 21
W86-70vs Loyola Maryland GreyhoundsDec 9
W89-36vs Christendom CrusadersDec 6
L57-82at UCF KnightsNov 29
L48-81vs Bowling Green FalconsNov 26
L70-78at Buffalo BullsNov 24
L80-99at Stetson HattersNov 23
L54-87at Richmond SpidersNov 20
L67-69vs Jacksonville DolphinsNov 15

Chattanooga Mocs

Last 10: 5-5Streak L178.2 scored · 68.6 allowed per game2-3 away

L72-77at UNC Greensboro SpartansJan 1
W73-66at Alabama A&M BulldogsDec 21
L64-79at Bellarmine KnightsDec 18
L78-92at Auburn TigersDec 13
W103-46vs Oakwood AmbassadorsDec 10
L70-74vs Southeast Missouri State RedhawksDec 6
L64-70vs Tennessee State TigersNov 30
W109-59vs Tennessee Wesleyan BulldogsNov 28
W71-57vs North Alabama LionsNov 22
W78-66at South Carolina State BulldogsNov 20

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
East Tennessee State	23-11	-	13-5
Mercer	19-13	2	11-7
Wofford	19-13	2	11-7
Samford	18-14	2	11-7
Furman	22-13	3	10-8
Western Carolina	15-16	3	10-8
UNC Greensboro	15-19	4	9-9
Chattanooga	13-19	6	7-11
The Citadel	11-22	6	7-11
VMI	6-26	12	1-17

Box score

Stat	Chattanooga Mocs	VMI Keydets
Field goals	22-54	24-55
Field goal %	41	44
Three-pointers	7-24	10-33
Three-point %	29	30
Free throws	20-24	21-29
Free throw %	83	72
Rebounds	31	39
Offensive rebounds	7	12
Defensive rebounds	24	27
Assists	13	13
Steals	8	6
Blocks	0	3
Turnovers	12	12
Team turnovers	0	0
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	11	11
Fast-break points	17	7
Points in the paint	24	28
Fouls	22	16
Largest lead	0	19
Lead changes	0	0
Time in front	0	98

How the scoring went

2nd Half41-51Tate Darner makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half42-51Tate Darner makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half44-51Tate Darner makes layup
2nd Half46-51Jordan Frison makes 8-foot jumper
2nd Half47-51Tate Darner makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half48-51Tate Darner makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half48-53Alexander Daushvili makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half50-53Teddy Washington Jr. makes 12-foot jumper (Jordan Frison assists)
2nd Half50-55Alexander Daushvili makes layup
2nd Half50-56Alexander Daushvili makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half52-56Billy Smith makes layup (Tate Darner assists)
2nd Half53-56Billy Smith makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half53-59Tan Yildizoglu makes 23-foot three point jumper (TJ Johnson assists)
2nd Half53-61AJ Clark makes 2-foot dunk (Tan Yildizoglu assists)
2nd Half55-61Billy Smith makes 5-foot hook shot
2nd Half55-62Alexander Daushvili makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half55-63Alexander Daushvili makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half57-63Billy Smith makes layup
2nd Half57-64Alexander Daushvili makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half57-65Alexander Daushvili makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half58-65Billy Smith makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half59-65Billy Smith makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half60-65Tate Darner makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half61-65Tate Darner makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half61-66Alexander Daushvili makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half63-66Billy Smith makes layup
2nd Half63-67Tan Yildizoglu makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half63-70TJ Johnson makes 24-foot three point jumper (Tan Yildizoglu assists)
2nd Half63-71TJ Johnson makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half63-72TJ Johnson makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half66-72Jikari Johnson makes 25-foot three point jumper (Jordan Frison assists)
2nd Half67-72Jikari Johnson makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half67-74Tan Yildizoglu makes layup
2nd Half70-74Billy Smith makes 26-foot three point jumper (Brennan Watkins assists)
2nd Half70-75Alexander Daushvili makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half70-76Alexander Daushvili makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half71-76Jordan Frison makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half71-77Tan Yildizoglu makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half71-78AJ Clark makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half71-79AJ Clark makes free throw 2 of 2