UTC men’s basketball coach Matt McCall believes the hardest thing for a team to do is how they handle success.
After an upset road win at Georgia (92-90 OT) Friday night, coach McCall wanted to make sure his players re-focused, turned the page and looked forward.
A glance at the final stats from Monday’s 94-55 home win against Hiwassee reflects a team that has turned the page and is moving ahead. It’s the most points scored by the Mocs since a 104-50 win against Montreat last December.
Tonight, the Blue and Gold shot 56.3% (36-64) from the field and 46.2% (12-26) from 3-point land, while Hiwassee shot 36.9% (24-65) from the field and only 21% (4-19) from beyond the arc.
“I constantly preach about the process of getting better every day,” said coach McCall whose Mocs improve to 2-0.
"I talk to these guys about fighting their circumstance," McCall stated. "It would have been easy to be complacent, especially the last two days of practice. You're walking around here and everyone's telling you congratulations and how great you are, and the bottom line is you've won one game.
“I also set goals for each game and the players understand the importance of reaching those goals or else,” he stated with smile.
Against Hiwassee, the Mocs reached the goals of at least 20 assists (25), held the opposition to less than 30% from 3-point land (21.1%) and won the rebounding battle by at least 15 (won by 20).
“Another plus tonight was having everyone play (13 of the 14 players scored).”
Justin Tuoyo led the Mocs with 16 points and added four blocks and four rebounds, while freshman Peyton Woods (named for Peyton Manning since his dad played hoops for the Vols in the early 1970s even though they live in Kentucky) came off the bench to hit 4 of 7 from 3-point range and totaled 14 points, plus two steals and three rebounds.
“I want Peyton to shoot the 3 when he has the opportunity,” said McCall. “You should watch our players on our bench stand up and get excited for him when he has the opportunity to make another three (he made 2 of 4 vs. Georgia).”
Overall, the Mocs had seven players make at least one trey as Alex Bran and Greg Pryor (two each) were the other players with multiple 3-pointers made.
Hiwassee (4-4) was led by Demetrius Kitchens with 12 points, three steals and two rebounds and D.J. Graves with 11 points and three boards.
First Half: Hiwassee’s Aario Johnson hit the game’s first bucket for a 2-0 lead at 18:52 followed by Tuoyo’s first hoop (a dunk) to tie the game at 2-2 less than a minute later.
With the game tied at 4-4, Pryor made one of two free throws for a 5-4 advantage, a lead the Mocs never relinquished.
The Mocs led by as many as 29 (48-19) at 2:33 on a free throw by Johnathan Burroughs-Cook.
The largest Mocs lead in the second half was 42 (91-49) at 4:03 on a dunk by freshman Rich Kalina.
Notes: Greg Pryor had a career-high six assists.
Mocs on the Road: This weekend, UTC takes on Illinois in Springfield, Ill. Saturday and then at Iowa State Monday in Ames, Iowa … Next week, the team takes on Alabama State in Niceville, Fla. on Nov. 27 as part of the Emerald Coast Classic … The Mocs face either Chicago State or Jacksonville State on Nov. 28 ... Nov. 30 UTC is at Louisiana Monroe
Back Home: UTC returns to the friendly confines of McKenzie Arena Dec. 8 against Tenn. Wesleyan at 7 p.m.
UTC 94, Hiwassee 55
Hiwassee 26 – 29 – 55
UTC 51 – 43 – 94
Top Scorer: UTC – Justin Tuoyo (16), Peyton Woods (14)
Hiwassee – Demetrius Kitchens (12)
Top Rebounder: UTC –Casey Jones (8) … Hiwassee - Jacob Elliott (4)
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net