Surprising as this may sound, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s 92-61 rout of NAIA member Cumberland University on Tuesday was not without at least one hiccup.
With 54 seconds to play, UTC’s Keigan Kerby attempted to inbound the ball following two free throws by teammate Donovann Toatley. That’s a no-no. And if it wasn’t the most memorable moment of the night for the victors, it did bring the biggest smile to Mocs coach Lamont Paris.
“Kids,” a grinning Paris said of his young squad, which features just one returning player – David Jean-Baptiste – from last year’s team. “It’s amazing the stuff you have to talk to them about. It wasn’t all his fault, though. The officials let him stand on the bottom block (closest to the goal). That’s where the team not shooting free throws is supposed to stand. That’s what threw him off.”
It was the only thing the Mocs were a bit off on regarding the final box score, which showed three Mocs scoring in double figures against the previously unbeaten Phoenix (5-1) and three others with eight points apiece.
UTC 7-footer Thomas Smallwood even matched his points (18) with the same number of rebounds to record a double-double. Kevin Easley tied Smallwood for scoring honors, followed by Toatley with 12 and Jean-Baptiste, Jerry Johnson and Justin Brown with eight each.