CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Eric Robertson scored 15 points and Chattanooga defeated Samford 77-66 on Saturday to clinch the No. 1 seed for the Southern Conference tournament while ensuring itself of at least a tie for the regular-season title in Matt McCall's first season as head coach.

The Mocs (25-5 14-3) can win the title outright with a victory at VMI on Monday. The 25 victories are the most for UTC since it went 26-7 in 1992-93.

Chuck Ester added 12 points, Dee Oldham had 11 and Justin Tuoyo and Tre' McLean 10 apiece.

Christen Cunningham scored 17 points, Darius Jones-Gibson added 15 and Matt Rose 14 for the Bulldogs (13-18, 4-14), who have lost four of their last five games.

Samford got within three, 64-61, with three minutes remaining before McLean made two free throws and added a jumper to begin a game-ending 13-5 run.