Mocs Earn Come-from-Behind SoCon Win at Wofford

SPARTANBURG, S.C.—The Chattanooga Mocs claimed a come-from-behind 73-68 win over the Wofford Terriers Saturday night in Johnson Arena. A pair of reserves, Nat Dixon and Rodney Chatman, figured heavily in securing the victory.

Down 58-50 as the clock ticked inside six-and-a-half minutes remaining, the Mocs got things going with a 15-1 run. After Justin Tuoyo got the lead to seven, Dixon drained a three-pointer from the top of the key to cut it to four.

Cameron Jackson’s free throw made it a five-point game. Chatman’s layup was followed by his first career block on the defensive end setting up Tre’ McLean’s triple in transition to knot the score at 59-all. Dixon gave his squad the lead for good with his second 3pt with 4:01 to go. Chatman’s and-1 layup two minutes later capped the spurt for the 65-59 advantage.

Dixon’s layup made it a seven-point game, 67-60, at the 1:16 mark. Fletcher Magee’s 3pt just 10 seconds later was the first field goal for the home team in a 6:52 span. The Mocs played stellar defense and made six of their last eight free throws for the eight-point win.

Greg Pryor had a team-high 19 points to go with a career-high eight rebounds. Tuoyo added 11 points and four blocks, while Chatman and Casey Jones had 10 points apiece. Magee led all scorers with 26 points as Ryan Sawvell contributed 16 points and 11 rebounds.

The defensive effort in the final eight-and-a-half minutes was suffocating. The sharp-shooting Terriers were limited to just one field goal making 5.9 percent (1-17) from the field including 11.1 percent (1-9) from beyond the arc.

Pryor scored the Mocs first 14 points in the opening six-plus minutes. Tuoyo put the visitors up 23-22 with 5:05 until the break. Wofford went on a 13-2 run to take a 10-point advantage, 35-25, on Magee’s layup at 1:46.

Tuoyo and Chatman baskets cut it to six. Casey Jones’ tip-in on a missed McLean jumper sent the Mocs into halftime down 35-31.

Next Saturday’s ETSU game includes the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the 1977 NCAA Division II National Championship squad. The Mocs plan a commemorative t-shirt as well as a fantastic ticket bargain. General admission seating is just $5 with kids who come to the game in their youth jersey admitted free.

RECORDS

Chattanooga – 18-7, 9-4 in the SoCon. Wofford – 13-14, 9-5 in league play.

STAT OF THE GAME
All of Nat Dixon’s nine points came in the final 5:47 of the game. Click the stats link above for a complete look at today’s statistics.

QUOTABLE

“We look forward to what he [Nat Dixon] gives us every night. He gives us great energy every single practice and game, and he makes us a lot better as a team. It was no surprise what he did tonight offensively and defensively.” – Senior Greg Pryor. For more thoughts from coach and student-athletes, click the quotes link above.

NOTABLE

0 – Losses in Johnson Arena for seniors Greg Pryor (4-0), Tre’ McLean (3-0) and Justin Tuoyo (3-0). For further breakdown on stats and facts from today’s game, click notes link above.

SOCON SCOREBOARD

at VMI 101, The Citadel, 78

UNCG 76, Western Carolina 68

at ETSU 88, Mercer 71

at Furman 90, Samford 73

NEXT UP

Wednesday, Feb. 15 at VMI. Tipoff is at 7 p.m., airing on the WatchESPN app (ESPN3) as well as locally on the airwaves on Real 96.1 FM in Chattanooga. Links to live stats, video and audio (Mocs Sports Network) are on GoMocs.com’s men’s basketball schedule page.

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