Matt Ryan scored 15 points, including six in the final 20 seconds, to lift the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga to a 68-64 win Saturday at the University of North Carolina at Asheville.
The Mocs’ 14-point second-half lead melted away, with DeVon Baker’s 3-pointer tying the game at 60 with 1:57 to play. UTC’s David Jean-Baptiste made it a two-point game with free throws on the ensuing possession, and then Ryan – after a pair of defensive stops – made it a four-point game with a pull-up jumper with 19.3 seconds left.
Tajion Jones answered with a 3-pointer to cut it to one, and then the Bulldogs (6-5) immediately fouled Ryan. The Vanderbilt transfer calmly sank a pair of free throws to put the Mocs back up by three with 9.9 on the clock. UTC fouled to prevent a 3-point attempt, with the strategy working as Trent Stephney made just one of two shots at the line.
The Mocs (8-5) quickly inbounded to Ryan, who was fouled and sank his last two free throws to provide the final margin.
“I think their belief is really high in what we’re trying to do, and that’s a big part in what has helped (in close games),” UTC coach Lamont Paris said afterward. “It’s a great group of young men, and I really enjoy coaching them.”