UTC Rallies Past ETSU, 67-59

It was Senior Night for UTC's Ronrico White and he delighted the hometown fans with 20 points, two steals an a pair of assists in leading the Mocs to a 67-59 Southern Conference win at McKenzie Arena Saturday night.

Playing before the largest home crowd of the season (5,179), White, Casey Jones (17 pts, seven rebounds) and Greg Pryor (11 pts., 5 assists) led a second half comeback to give coach Will Wade and UTC the first 20-win season since (former UTC coach) John Shulman's first year (20-11 in 2004-05) and the first team to reach 20 wins during the regular season since 1993-94.

Our guys really wanted to win number 20 tonight and it has been part of our mission statement for the season," said coach Wade.

"Our theme has been to restore respect for UTC basketball and one way to do that is to win 20 games."

Game Summary: ETSU led at half 30-22 as Jalen Riley scored 16 (31 for the game), but the Mocs took the lead for good at 40-38 on a Eric Robertson jumper at 12:08 of the second half.

"We did a good job of guarding the 3-point line (ETSU was 4-18) and they went 12 minutes without a basket in the second half," said Wade.

ETSU's A.J. Merriweather hit a layup for a 34-30 lead (16:09) but  the Bucs could only score from the free throw line for 12 minutes (eight points) until Lester Wilson hit a jumper at 4:00 to trail the Mocs, 52-44.

The Mocs took the lead for good at 12:08 on a jumper by Eric Robertson for a 40-38 advantage.

Thankful For the Crowd Support: "We can't thank our fellow students for supporting us tonight ," said White. 

Chattanooga 67, ETSU 59

ETSU 30 29  -- 59

UTC  22- 45 -- 67

Records: UTC (20-9, 13-3)  ETSU (16-11, 8-8)

FG%  UTC (39.5%  ETSU  (30.0%)

FT: UTC (74.3%), ETSU (86.4%)

Points Off Turnovers: ETSU, 13-11

Points in the Paint: 20-18

2nd Chance Points: ETSU, 8-6

Bench Points: UTC, 19-8

 

contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@cmcast.net