ELON, N.C. – A younger Chris Early might have dog-cussed Elon University senior Scott Grable.
Early, in previous years, may have shoved Grable in the chest or perhaps raised a fist at him for penetrating the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga huddle at the top of the key before Early attempted a one-and-bonus set of free throws in Friday’s Southern Conference game.
Instead, the UTC junior put his hands on the hips of the Phoenix forward and nudged the intruder away as if he were scared to slow-dance with somebody.
“He walked in the huddle and we told him to back out because we had some things to discuss,” Early said of the first-half encounter. “He tried to get in there and listen. We can’t let people do that.”
The exchange happened in an instant. The result could resonate for the rest of the season.
“We were having a huddle, Grable broke in and Chris told him to get out,” said the Mocs’ DeAntre Jefferson, who had 10 points and 10 rebounds in the game. “But I think it motivated and fired up people on the court. I hate that we gave them two points, but that showed a lot about Chris. It showed he’s about the team.”
Early received a technical foul for what a referee said was taunting. Coach John Shulman left Early on the floor to attempt his free shots – Early missed the first and didn’t get a second attempt – and because he has more faith in Early than ever before.
“I really would have been OK with it if he made two free throws, but he probably thought I was going to kill him and that’s why he missed the first,” Shulman said. “To be mentally tough you have to hit those two, but also to be mentally tough you have to come back in the second half and hit free throws. Chris did that.
“He is growing up and maturing.”
The Mocs won 71-65 and improved to 3-0 in the conference, which made them the leaders of the North Division by a game and a half over Samford and Appalachian State.
“If you want to be a good team,” UTC guard Omar Wattad said, “you have to win games like this.”
The Mocs left after the game and watched Charlotte’s win over Tennessee in the bus as it cruised through North Carolina on the way home to Chattanooga. They host NAIA member Reinhardt at noon Tuesday in McKenzie Arena.
“We’re going to have to do it as a team,” Shulman said. “That’s OK. It’s better. Great athletes and great talent are easily beat, but great teams are very difficult to beat, and that’s what we’ve got to become.”