UTC’s Justin Tuoyo shoots a free throw after being fouled during the Mocs’ Southern Conference game against Wofford at McKenzie Arena on Monday. Tuoyo blocked four shots in the game, among other stats, but Wofford came from behind to win.With the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga firmly in control early in the second half of its Southern Conference basketball game Monday night against Wofford, Terriers senior guard Karl Cochran tried to determine what he could do to help the visitors win.
His answer? Score.
Cochran bucketed 27 of his 33 points in the second half, with 24 coming in the final 11:27. He scored the final eight points as the preseason conference favorites rallied to steal a 68-64 win over the Mocs in front of 2,927 fans at McKenzie Arena. Wofford is 11-4, 2-0 in SoCon play.
Cochran was 6-for-6 from 3-point range in the second half. Most all of the shots were contested, including the go-ahead 3, which he shot over 6-foot-10 Justin Tuoyo.
“I’ve got to give my coach (Mike Young) credit for that,” Cochran said. “He’s known me for four years, studied my game, knows my game better than I do. Knows when I hit one, get another crack at it, it’s likely to go in the basket again, so he’ll call another play for me.”
Casey Jones had 21 points and seven rebounds for UTC (9-7, 2-1). Tuoyo added career highs of 19 points and 13 rebounds while adding four blocks, while Ronrico White added 10 points and Greg Pryor had four assists.
The final 3:12 featured two ties and four lead changes. Cochran hit a 3-pointer that was answered by one from White in the corner. Cochran then lofted a pass to Eric Garcia, whose 3 from the left wing gave the Terriers the lead back, but Jones scored on a three-point play.
Two Cochran free throws tying the game were answered by a dunk from Tuoyo off a pass over the top of the Wofford defense by White, but Cochran’s 3 over Tuoyo’s outstretched arms gave his team the lead for good.
“That was as good a performance as I’ve seen live,” UTC coach Will Wade said. “It was just a phenomenal performance by him, and you have to tip your cap to him: That’s a competitor and they had a great team spirit when he brought them back. We were chasing him, knowing where he is. We changed people guarding him three different times, so we were mixing him up.
“Give credit to him. That’s an unbelievable, unbelievable performance.”
The Mocs held a 30-20 lead at halftime as Tuoyo and Jones combined for 22 points and 13 rebounds in the first 20 minutes. UTC held Wofford to 33 percent shooting in the first 20 minutes, forced seven turnovers and grabbed eight offensive rebounds, which led to 12 second-chance points.
The Terriers started the second half 2-for-10 from the field, aiding the Mocs in taking a 39-25 advantage on a layup by Pryor with 14:23 to play. The visitors were 14-for-19 the rest of the way, though, outscoring UTC 43-25.
After missing their first eight, Wofford missed only one of its final 10 3-point attempts.
“We’re all better with great players,” Young said. “I had great players, but this is round one. (Will) is doing a great job with this team and this program, and there’s a lot to be decided. It’s a long journey, a long process. They’re very good, with very good players. But we walked in and stole one.
“I’m glad I’ve got Cochran on my team.”
Lee Skinner had 10 points and eight rebounds for the Terriers.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.