Eric Ferguson scored 26 points and hit late free throws as Georgia Southern defeated Chattanooga 76-70 Friday night in first-round action in the Southern Conference tournament.
The Eagles (15-14), the third seed in the SoCon South division, will meet Elon, the second seed in the North.
Chattanooga (11-21), the North's sixth seed, got a 15-point, 13-rebound double-double from Jahmal Burroughs. The Mocs led 42-34 at halftime, but Georgia Southern took charge after intermission.
Ben Drayton III (12 points) hit a 3-pointer to tie the score at 46-all. Later, Drayton drained back-to-back treys to give the Mocs a 63-62 lead they never relinquished.
After a Drayton jumper made it 68-65, Ferguson dunked. In the last 41 seconds, he went 4 of 4 from the foul line.
Jelani Hewitt had 15 points and nine rebounds for the Eagles. Tre' Bussey added 10 points.
Dontay Hampton scored 13 for Chattanooga, Rico White 12.
