-Nat Dixon’s 18 points led the Chattanooga Mocs in a 71-48 defeat at the hands of Georgia State Saturday afternoon. The contest was the final non-conference matchup for the Mocs.
Dixon was the lone Moc in double digits with Makinde London adding eight points and a game-high nine rebounds. D’Marcus Simonds led the Panthers with 21 points, six rebounds and six assists.
The Panthers looked to run away from the beginning. An 18-2 run over a 10-minute span was the early undoing.
The score was 6-5 at 15:52 when a Simonds layup kick-started the spurt. Devin Mitchell capped it with a jumper at 5:30 for the 24-7 advantage.
GSU put it away to start the second half. It opened with a 17-3 run over the first six-plus minute of the second frame for the commanding 50-18 advantage. The Mocs got some timely shots from Dixon and London midway through the period, but the Panthers did not afford an opportunity to get back into the game.
Coach Lamont Paris was matter-of-fact in his assessment.
"Our mentality was not in a state for us to make a comeback. I think for the first time, in a long time, they felt and appeared defeated. We moved in a way that it indicated that. Our spirit was that way and I don't know why. Georgia State is a good team that's coached well. They play well defensively and make teams struggle.
“Our quality of shot wasn't great, but even when we had a quality look they still didn't fall. It was a combination of a lot of things."
London agreed with his coach while taking a positive look to the upcoming conference slate.
"We just didn't bring it. That's what it boils down to. When we compete and play hard, we can play with anybody. We have to regroup and come back ready to go to work. No casualness or relaxation, we really have to go after this. We're a young team, there's nothing to get too high or too low over. It's a whole process and trying not to get caught up in one stage of it.
“I'm proud of this team and our guys. As long as we stay together and keep plugging away, that's what matters most. It's about how we handle ourselves and grow as a team."
Chattanooga heads to Birmingham after the holiday break beginning Southern Conference play at Samford. Game time is 8 p.m., (ET) with it airing on ESPN3/WatchESPN app.