Led by a career day from junior Tre’ McLean, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga jumped out to a double-digit lead early and cruised to a 95-58 win over Alabama State Friday in the Emerald Coast Classic semifinals at Northwest Florida State Community College in Niceville, Fla.
The Mocs (4-1) will face the winner of the other semifinal between Chicago State and Jacksonville State in Saturday’s final at 2:30.
McLean had a career-best 18 points, adding six assists. He led four players in double figures, as Justin Tuoyo had 12 points and four blocks; Casey Jones had 11 points and seven assists and Greg Pryor finished with 10 points.
As a team, the Mocs shot 68 percent from the field and had 28 assists to only eight turnovers. They had a season-best 13 3-pointers, making more Friday than the Hornets (1-3) had allowed in their first three games combined.
The Mocs led 38-22 at the half, led by McLean, who had already eclipsed his career high of 11 points with 13 in the first 20 minutes.
The Hornets shot only 33 percent from the field and turned the ball over 16 times. They were led by 14 points from Bobby Brown.
For full story, read Saturday’s Times Free Press.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.