JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — Casey Jones hit a 3-pointer from 25 feet out with 1.7 seconds to go, and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga defeated East Tennessee State University 74-71 in overtime in front of 3,605 fans at Freedom Hall on Saturday.
The Mocs (11-7, 4-1 SoCon) led by as many as five in the second half, but ETSU tied the game on a jumper by Rashawn Rembert with 43 seconds in regulation.
Four Justin Tuoyo free throws gave the Mocs a 67-63 lead in overtime, but five points by Jalen Riley pushed the Bucs (9-5, 4-2) back in front. Martynas Bareika hit a pair of free throws, followed by a Casey Jones jumper, but A.J. Merriweather had a 3-point play to tie the game in the final minute.
The Mocs’ Eric Robertson missed a 3-pointer, but Jones grabbed the rebound, and after a timeout, Jones hit the game-winner.
Robertson had 20 points to lead the Mocs. Ronrico White had 16 to go with seven assists, while Bareika had 13. Jones finished with nine points, but 11 rebounds, including six of the team’s 17 offensive rebounds.
Riley finished with 18 to lead the Bucs.
The Mocs travel to Birmingham Thursday to take on Samford.
For full story, read Sunday’s Times Free Press.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.