A fast start to each half, tough defense in the paint and the ability to shut down the opponent’s 3-pointers spelled success tonight for Chattanooga as the Mocs defeated visiting Furman, 72-60, in a Southern Conference men’s basketball game at McKenzie Arena.
The Mocs were led by Casey Jones’ third double-double (20 pts.-11 rebs) of the season, along with Justin Tuoyo’s 14 points, five boards and four blocks.
Chattanooga improves to 9-6 overall, 2-0 in SoCon play, 8-1 at home this season and 19-3 in McKenzie Arena in coach Will Wade’s second season.
Furman fell to 3-9 overall, 1-1 in the SoCon, and is 0-7 on the road.
The Paladins were led by Stephen Croone with 18 points, followed by Kendrec Ferrara with 13 points, six rebounds and two steals.
First Place Tie: The Mocs and Mercer are 2-0 in the league while Wofford is 1-0.
Monday’s Game: Mocs host pre-season SoCon favorite Wofford Monday at 8 p.m. (note the start time)
Quick Starts: Tuoyo scored the Mocs first five points on the way to a 10-1 jump start in the game’s first two minutes, while a 6-0 opening run after intermission gave the Blue and Gold a 10-point lead at 42-32 on a Lance Stokes hoop at 17:58.
The Paladins never were closer than six (44-38, 14:10) the rest of the way and trailed by 15 three times, the last coming at 70-55 (:59) on Greg Pryor’s second of two made free throws.
“We were able to make some early baskets and made some stops at the start of both halves which then made them play catch-up the remainder of the game,” said UTC coach Will Wade.
“We played much better defense in the second half allowing them only 11 points in the first 13 minutes.”
Good Defense: Chattanooga held Furman below their scoring average (was 65.6 ppg), below their rebounding average (was 32.8) and below 3-pointers made (was 7.0). Tonight Furman scored 60, had 25 boards and made 3 of 10 from beyond the arc.
“I thought our defensive rebounding was good and we did a nice job of running them off the 3-point line,” Wade stated.
Good Stops: Furman’s Croone and Geoff Beans had a combined 39 made 3s coming into tonight’s game and the Mocs held them to one each.
“UTC deserved to win, they did not allow us to shoot enough 3s and their athleticism wore us down,” said Furman coach Niko Medved who like coach Wade is in his second season in the SoCon.
“UTC is better than they were last year as they have more length and more athleticism. Greg Pryor is improved and Casey Jones kills us every time.”
First Half: Mocs got out to a quick 10-1 lead as Justin Tuoyo had five points. Then went up by seven at 20-13 at 11:26, but the Paladins went on 8-0 run for only lead of the half (21-20) at 8:05 on a 3-pt play by Croone who had nine points in the half.
Furman Buzzer Beater: Chattanooga went back up by 7 at 30-23 as Pryor scored five straight points and again by 7 at 36-29 on free throws by Jones, but Daniel Fowler hit from the corner at the buzzer for a 3-pointer to trail at half by four, 36-32.
Mocs shot 50% 12-24 Furman 11-26 42.3%
Mocs were 8-10 FT Furman 8-13 UTC rebounds 16-13
Second Half: Mocs extended first half lead to 10 (42-32) on a Lance Stokes jumper, only to have Croone’s free throws cut the lead to six at 44-38 (14:10).
The Mocs went up by double figures to stay (48-38, 13:11) on a layup by Jones.
The largest lead was 15, three times.
Notes: All nine of UTC’s wins have been by 11 points or more … 2-0 in league play … last year the Mocs opened 8-0 in league play … Furman Series: Mocs lead the series 51-27 and have won the last four … Chattanooga is now 9-0 when out-rebounding its opponent … Eric Robertson made three 3s tonight and has 75 for a career … he leads the SoCon at 53.7% (29-54)
Approaching 700 Wins: UTC is 692-452 in the D-I era.
Tough Trio in the Paint: "It is tough to finish over Justin Tuoyo, Casey Jones and Tre' McLean," said coach Wade. They combined for 9 rebounds, 5 blocked shots, 6 steals.
Southern Conference Standings:
Chattanooga 2-0
Mercer 2-0
Wofford 1-0
Furman 1-1
Western Carolina 1-1
UNCG 1-1
VMI 1-1
The Citadel 0-2
Chattanooga 72, Furman 60
Furman 32- 28 – 60
UTC 36 – 36 – 72
Points in the Paint: UTC, 20-14
Points Off Turnovers: UTC, 17-4
2nd Chance Points UTC, 4-2
Fast Break Points: UTC, 4-2
Bench Points: Furman, 9-5
Shooting: FG% UTC 49.0% (25-51), Furman 44.4% (20-45) … 3-Pt % UTC 33.3% (6-18), Furman 30.0% (3-10) … FT% UTC 76.2% (16-21), Furman 70.8% (17-24)
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net