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Curry, Davidson open SoCon play against Chattanooga

Dec 13, 2008 - 11:30 AM Chattanooga (1-5) at (22) Davidson (7-1) 7:00 p.m. EST

DAVIDSON, North Carolina (Ticker) -- After coming through in the clutch under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, Stephen Curry and Davidson return home to begin Southern Conference play against Chattanooga Saturday.

The 22nd-ranked Wildcats are coming off a 68-65 triumph over West Virginia in the Jimmy V Classic, a game in which Curry had his worst shooting performance of the season.

The sharpshooter made just 5-of-22 field goal attempts in the first 35 minutes, including 1-of-13 from the 3-point line, but carried Davidson to the victory in the final five minutes. Curry sank his last three attempts from behind the arc and put the Wildcats ahead for good, 64-62, with 37 seconds left.

Davidson should not have as much trouble with Chattanooga, setting up another marquee matchup next Saturday. The Wildcats face their second of three ranked opponents, No. 17 Purdue, on December 20. They also face seventh-ranked Duke January 7 and lost to then-No. 14 Oklahoma, 82-78, on November 18.

Following a brutal stretch to open the season, losing five games by an average of 25 points per contest, the Mocs got their first win in their last game.

Chattanooga cruised to a 108-67 victory over Tennessee Temple last Saturday. Stephen McDowell scored 24 points and Nicchaeus Doaks added 14 points and 12 rebounds.

The Mocs are facing their fourth ranked opponent, having lost to Tennessee, Memphis and Southern California.