If Saturday’s game against Furman was a “rock fight,” the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s stones packed a more impactful punch when they connected.
UTC shot only 40 percent from the field but turned 14 turnovers into 18 points and limited the Paladins to 38 percent shooting in claiming a 62-54 Southern Conference men’s basketball win in front of 4,894 at McKenzie Arena.
The win avenged the only loss in league play for the Mocs (21-3, 10-1) and gave them a two-game lead over Mercer and East Tennessee State in the standings.
The Paladins (14-11, 8-4) won 70-55 on Jan. 9 in what was one of the two worst performances of the season for the Mocs.
“We knew in the first game we really didn’t go in and play our game,” UTC point guard Greg Pryor said. “Our minds were in another place – we weren’t there mentally – and we got beat like we should have. Tonight we came in more prepared. It wasn’t a pretty game, it wasn’t our best game, but we fought, stuck together and pulled out a win.”