Mercer guard Jestin Lewis (5) and UTC 's Casey Jones (24) while going after a loose ball during their game Thursday Jan. 29, 2015. (Macon THE TELEGRAPH by JASON VORHEES) MACON, Ga. - The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga dropped a 75-72 decision to Mercer Thursday at Hawkins Arena in Macon.
The Mocs (14-8, 7-2) trailed by as many as 15 in the first half and 14 in the second half, but rallied to take a 62-59 lead with 3:48 to play on a 3-pointer by Greg Pryor. There were three ties and three lead changes in the final 3:12, but the teams went into overtime tied at 68 after Casey Jones missed a jumper at the top of the key.
The Bears (12-10, 7-2) scored the first six points of the extra period, but the Mocs rallied again, cutting the lead to 74-72 after four points by Jones. The Mocs then forced a miss, but Greg Pryor was stripped by Phillip Leonard, who was fouled. He would miss both free throws, but Ronrico White missed a 3-pointer, and Ike Nwamu split a pair at the free throw line for the final margin.
Jones had 24 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Mocs, while Pryor added 21. White had 10 points and five assists.
Darious Moten had 21 points for the Bears, while Nwamu had 20 and Leonard 18.
The Mocs return home to face The Citadel Saturday at 6.
For full story, read Friday's Times Free Press.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him attwitter.com/genehenleytfp.