Mocs Take Down Coastal Carolina in Battle 4 Atlantis Mainland Finals

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.—Ronrico White and Casey Jones led four double-digit scorers as the Chattanooga Mocs defeated Coastal Carolina 78-67 in the title game of the Battle 4 Atlantis mainland tourney. The duo combined for 41 points as the Mocs even their record at 3-3, while CCU falls to 4-2.

White had a game-high 21, while Jones tallied his second straight double-double with 20 points and 12 boards. Shivaughn Wiggins led the Chanticleers with 20 points.

“Ronrico was tremendous,” coach Will Wade. “He shot the ball well and was an offensive playmaker for us. He deserves everything he gets. He was a little down on his shot, so he and Wes (Long) practiced last night until 11:30 working on his shot. Those are the little things it takes to win. 

“Rico does them and that’s what it takes to win it.”

Chattanooga came back from a five-point (40-35) halftime deficit. Trailing 46-43, Jones hit a jumper at 15:39 to close to within one. White drilled a three-pointer on the next possession to give the Mocs a two-point lead, 48-46. It was an advantage they would not let get away.

Eric Robertson’s layup with 9:25 to play made it a seven-point game, 57-50. Coastal did not get closer than five the rest of the way.

It was a five-point game with a little more than three minutes to go when Jones hits another jumper at 3:08. Both teams played lockdown defense for nearly two minutes when Greg Pryor hit a contested jumper in the paint with 1:29 to play to make it a nine-point cushion, 67-68. Chattanooga hit 11 of 12 free throws down the stretch to stymie any CCU efforts at a comeback.

Pryor had 15 points and three steals. Justin Tuoyo added 11 points, five rebounds and a career-high six blocks. He’s had five multi-block games in six starts this season. Behind Jones (12) and Tuoyo, the Mocs won the battle on the glass 36-32.

Warren Gillis and Josh Cameron each scored 13 for the Chanticleers. Badou Diagne led in rebounding with nine. CCU was limited to 43.6 percent from the field, 30.8 percent (4-13) from 3pt range.

“I think we got stops, which really helped us,” Wade added. “Our second half defense was much improved. We got stops and were able to get out in transition.

“This is probably the best game we’ve played to date,” he continued. “Now we have to go on the road. We go out Saturday, and we have to take the same intensity and same level of play we had today and take it on the road. It is something to build off of, but now we have to do it on the road. 

“You’re not going to be a very good team if you only win your home games.””

The Mocs head to Kennesaw State for a Noon tip Saturday on ESPN3.com.