UTC Freshman light up the scoreboard in home victory over Mercer

(GOMOCS) CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)-The Chattanooga Mocs used a dominant second half to pull away for a 73-56 victory over Mercer Saturday afternoon in the Roundhouse. The Mocs improve to 14-13, 6-8 in the Southern Conference men’s basketball standings, while the Bears drop to 12-15, 5-9 in the league.

Freshman Sam Alexis led all scorers with 26 points and six rebounds off the bench. Jamal Johnson added 17 with Brody Robinson chipping in 10 more. Jalyn McCreary paced the road squad with 16.

The last 21:23 belonged to Alexis and the Mocs. Trailing 38-28 after a Jordan Jones jumper, Alexis and Johnson sored the final five points of the half igniting what turned into a 45-18 finish overwhelming the Bears. Alexis (13) and Johnson (12) combined for 25 of the 40 second half tally out-scoring the Bears (18) by themselves.

The Mocs hit the road to Lexington, Va. They face VMI Wednesday at 7 p.m.