UTC Mocs know they must keep focus in second half

photo UTC's Shaq Preston puts the ball up in the game against Hiwassee College at McKenzie Arena.

For at least 20 minutes a game, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men's basketball team has played the type of defense that could make it a threat this season.

There also have been stretches when the loss of focus and intensity has cost the Mocs.

UTC (1-3) has averaged allowing 31 points on 41.6 percent shooting in the first half. In the second half, though, those numbers swell to 39.3 points on 45.7 percent for the opposing team. The difference caused a Butler game that was a manageable three-point deficit at halftime to get away from the Mocs, and it also allowed Tennessee Tech to rally from a 16-point UTC lead with 12 minutes to go to win 69-67.

Today's noon tipoff at home against Robert Morris in the semifinals of the Battle 4 Atlantis Mainland event will give the Mocs an opportunity to put the frustrating loss against Tech out of their minds. Center Justin Tuoyo and others said the team is still feeling the effects of that last game.

"Saturday hurt bad," point guard Greg Pryor said. "Being up 16, 19 points at one point and to lose by two, it's tough. When we get a lead, we just have to keep putting it on them."

Coastal Carolina and Louisiana-Monroe play in the other semifinal, following UTC against Robert Morris.

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In the last two games, Butler and Tennessee Tech shot a combined 31-for-64 (48 percent) from the floor against the Mocs.

"When you're having a run put on you on the road, the crowd gets into it and you've got to bring your own energy," Tuoyo said. "I felt like when Tech went on their run, it was just us. We've lost our focus around the 10-minute mark in the past two games.

"We have to put 40 minutes together."

Turnovers haven't helped, either. The Mocs have averaged 9.3 turnovers in the second halves of games this season, as opposed to six in the first halves. As a result, opposing teams have been able to get easier looks and create momentum, as when Tennessee Tech guard Terrance Rowe -- a 23 percent 3-point shooter for the season -- confidently shot and hit the go-ahead 3-pointer from about 24 feet out Saturday night.

"Ball control is the best way to help a bad defense," UTC coach Will Wade said. "Our defense isn't bad. It isn't great, but it's middle of the road, and we must help ourselves out by not giving up a bunch of easy things with our turnovers."

Opposing teams have done more attacking the basket in the second half, which has led to layups and UTC foul trouble.

"I think we do a pretty good job with scout," Wade said. "The guys are really locked in and we take the other team out of what they want to do, but at halftime other teams are saying that they're going to put their heads down, drive and test us off the bounce.

"We have to have guys bow their necks up, keep them in front and keep them out of the lane when they try to bullrush us."

Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.

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