On February 8, 1997, one of the most unexpected results in Southern Conference basketball history unfolded in Johnson City.
The game between Chattanooga and ETSU tipped off at 8:00 PM in Johnson City, with the contrast between the two teams impossible to ignore. Chattanooga entered the night riding an 11-game winning streak, having just defeated UAB 64–59 two days earlier to extend its surge and further cement its status as the Southern Conference favorite.
East Tennessee State, by contrast, sat at the bottom of the standings. As recently as January 29, Chattanooga had demolished ETSU by 30 points at UTC Arena. In that meeting, the Mocs shot 8-of-15 from three-point range while ETSU committed 24 turnovers, a shellacking that seemed to confirm the wide gulf between the two programs.
Chattanooga’s Dominant Run
Chattanooga’s 11-game winning streak spanned 31 days, from January 6 through February 6. During that stretch, the Mocs outscored opponents 849–627, winning nine games by double digits. They were deep, experienced, and led by one of the most accomplished players in program history.
Despite that résumé, the Buccaneers stayed composed from the opening tip, matching Chattanooga possession for possession. At halftime, the Mocs held a slim 29–27 lead.
Overtime Drama
The second half followed much the same script. Chattanooga leaned heavily on star guard Johnny Taylor, while ETSU countered with balanced scoring and timely shooting. Regulation ended knotted at 62–62, but overtime belonged to the Buccaneers.
The Buccaneers outscored the Mocs 8–7 in the extra period, sealing a shocking 70–69 victory that snapped Chattanooga’s streak and instantly earned a place among SoCon classic historic games.
Heroes for ETSU
Several Buccaneers delivered defining performances that night, led by Kyle Keaton, a 6-foot sophomore guard.
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- Keaton finished with 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including 3-of-4 from three-point range, and added 6 assists.
- Reggie Todd, a 6-foot-7 sophomore forward, chipped in 14 points and 7 rebounds, continuing what would become a four-year career marked by efficiency, including a .524 career field goal percentage.
- Freshman Gabe Lisicky came off the bench with 11 points, knocking down all three of his three-point attempts, while also contributing 4 assists. Despite never averaging more than 6.3 points per game in his career, Lisicky’s impact on this night was big!
ETSU’s effort was particularly impressive given the physical disadvantage. Chattanooga out-rebounded the Buccaneers 42–33, including a 15–5 edge on the offensive glass.
Perimeter Woes on a Rare Off Night
Even in defeat, Johnny Taylor delivered a memorable performance, pouring in 28 points. Still, the night was defined by uncharacteristic struggles from the perimeter, as Taylor went 0-for-3 from beyond the arc and Chattanooga as a whole managed just 3-of-18 shooting from three-point range. Sophomore guard Isaac Conner, normally a dependable shooter and future four-year contributor, also endured a tough outing, finishing 1-of-7 from the field, 0-of-5 from deep, and scoring only two points. The game marked the start of a six-game stretch in which Conner went 0-for-19 from three-point range.
Perspective Through History
The loss proved to be little more than a footnote in what became one of the greatest seasons in Chattanooga history. The 1997 Mocs finished 11–3 in SoCon play, won the conference tournament, and earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in five years.
As a No. 14 seed, Chattanooga authored one of college basketball’s greatest Cinderella runs, defeating No. 3 Georgia and No. 6 Illinois to reach the Sweet Sixteen—a feat accomplished by only two No. 14 seeds in tournament history. Johnny Taylor went on to be named Southern Conference Player of the Year and later became the only first-round NBA Draft pick in school history.
For ETSU, the victory stood as a shining moment in an otherwise difficult season. The Buccaneers finished 2–12 in conference play and exited the SoCon Tournament with a 20-point loss to Georgia Southern.
The Point After
February 8, 1997, stands as a defining reminder of why SoCon basketball history remains so compelling. A last-place team rose for one unforgettable night to topple a future Sweet Sixteen squad and halt an 11-game winning streak.
Games like ETSU’s overtime upset of Chattanooga are the lifeblood of the Southern Conference—proof that in this league, every night carries the potential for history.
