UTC blows early lead in loss to Jackson State

Jeff Smith didn't bother putting on his goggles for the final minute.

They just hung around his neck as Jackson State guard Rod Melvin dribbled out the clock in JSU's 87-75 win over the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

The Tigers earned their first win of the season by turning a two-point game with 10 minutes to play into a comfortable victory for the SWAC preseason favorites.

Jenniro Bush led all players with 31 points on 10-of-16 shooting including 5-of-8 from the 3-point line. Rod Melvin added 13, Grant Maxey contributed 12 points for JSU.

DeAntre Jefferson tied a career high with 18 points and seven rebounds for UTC (2-4). Ricky Taylor scored 18 points, Chris Early scored 11 and Omar Wattad had 10.

The Mocs struggled from the floor for all but an early stretch. They finished shooting 41.9 percent from the field, and were 10-of-36 from the 3-point line and 13-of-21 from the free throw line.

The Mocs had their best start of the season against the Tigers. But their success didn't last through the entire 20 minutes.

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