Chattanooga secures SoCon title with 67-65 win over VMI

LEXINGTON, Va. (AP) Tre' McLean had 16 points and 12 rebounds and Chattanooga clinched the Southern Conference title with a 67-65 win over VMI in the regular-season finale for both teams.

The Mocs (26-5, 15-3) outscored VMI 26-9 over a 12-minute stretch that turned a seven-point deficit early in the second half into 64-54 lead on Duke Ethridge's dunk at 3:21.

QJ Peterson scored all of the Keydet points during an 11-2 run that closed its deficit to 66-65 with 17 seconds left. VMI (9-20, 4-14) then got the ball back with 16 seconds left after a turnover and had for a chance to go ahead but Peterson's 3-point attempt missed with two seconds left.

Dee Oldham made 1 of 2 free throws for Chattanooga in the final second to cap the scoring.

Greg Pryor added 13 points and Etheridge and Oldham had 11 each.

Peterson made five 3-pointers and scored 21 for VMI.