The Chattanooga Mocs fell 65-51 to visiting ETSU Saturday evening. It was defensive battle with the lowest scoring output of the year for the hosts, and the fourth-lowest for the visitors.
Trailing 24-20 at the break, the Mocs took a one-point lead, 27-26, as Tre’ McLean drilled a 3pt to cap a 7-2 run over the initial 1:45 of the second frame. The lead lasted 52 seconds.
The Bucs held UTC scoreless for the next six-plus minutes to take control of the contest. Rodney Chatman’s free throw with 12:00 remaining ended a 17-0 spurt for a 43-28 ETSU advantage.
It was a common theme to the second half as the Mocs could not get the ball in the basket and made 13 turnovers in the final 20 minutes.
Three-pointers by Nat Dixon, McLean, Greg Pryor and McLean again in the final two minutes earned the final margin.
McLean led the Mocs with 11 points and six rebounds. Desonta Bradford and T.J. Cromer each tallied 15 points for the Bucs, with Tevin Glass adding 10 and eight boards.
ETSU scored 26 points off a total of 19 turnovers. It had a 26-13 advantage in points off turnovers despite 17 miscues of its own. UTC was limited to 42.2 percent shooting on the evening, while the Bucs’ 53.2 percent was powered by making 14 of 23 (60.9%) in the second half including five of eight from 3pt range.
After Wednesday’s game at Samford, the Mocs close out the home schedule next week with a visit from Mercer. General admission seating is just $5 with kids who come to the game in their youth jersey admitted free with a paying adult. Call (423) 266-MOCS (6627) or click the link above.