CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – For 15 minutes of Sunday’s game against sixth-ranked North Carolina, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men’s basketball team showed it belonged on the big stage.
Then fouls began to mount for the Mocs. The Tar Heels got comfortable. And things got out of hand really quickly.
North Carolina went on a 16-3 run late in the first half and held an 11-point lead at halftime. That lead ballooned to more than 20 points within the first five minutes of the second half, and the Tar Heels cruised to a 97-57 win in front of 13,402 at the Dean Smith Center.
The Mocs (1-1) play their home opener against National Christian College Athletic Association member Hiwassee College at 7 p.m. Wednesday at McKenzie Arena.
Greg Pryor had 15 of his 17 points in the first half to lead the Mocs while adding three assists and three steals. Casey Jones had 10 points, while Justin Tuoyo had eight points, nine rebounds and three blocks and Peyton Woods made two 3-pointers and finished with seven points.