James Lewis had to embrace the challenge.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga freshman forward wasn’t going to get much of a rest in Sunday’s 82-76 loss to Tennessee Tech in Cookeville, Tenn. The Mocs already were thin at the forward position, and senior Joshua Phillips missed Sunday’s game due to a violation of team rules.
That, along with an injury to freshman Duane Moss, left the Mocs with only three healthy post players: Lewis, junior Makinde London and freshman walk-on A.J. Bowers. Three first-half fouls by London then cut into the depth even more, which meant more Lewis.
The 6-foot-6 freshman played 38 minutes and 35 seconds, totaling 15 points and 11 rebounds. It was the first double-double by a UTC freshman since Chris Early had 11 points and 10 rebounds in a 102-70 win over Tennessee Wesleyan on Dec. 29, 2008, and the first against a Division I opponent since Alphonso Pugh had 11 and 10 in a 82-70 road victory over Bradley on Nov. 30, 2002.
Lewis previously topped 30 minutes only once this season, logging 32 in a 75-70 loss at Akron on Nov. 28 – another game in which London was in early foul trouble.
“It’s self-motivation,” Lewis said on the postgame radio broadcast about the extended playing time. “The coaches and my teammates always tell me to keep pushing.
“You have to realize that this is all bigger than yourself.”
Coach Lamont Paris had to get creative with the lineups in the second half, once sophomore Rodney Chatman fouled out with more than 17 minutes remaining. Lewis played all 20 minutes in the second half, as did junior Nat Dixon and sophomore Makale Foreman, while London played all but 36 seconds.
“We played some guys that haven’t played in some positions they haven’t played for longer minutes,” Paris said. “James played 39 minutes – for a freshman that’s bigger than average. Then you throw in a couple of more wrenches – Makinde getting his third foul, Rodney fouls out – and it changes everything.
“It was a unique deal from a personnel standpoint and with the combinations on the floor. At times we were looking and wondering, ‘Can we even run that play with that group out there?'”
Paris was overall pleased with his most consistent freshman’s performance. Lewis is averaging 8.7 points and 5.9 rebounds this season, shooting 51 percent from the field and a solid 73 percent from the foul line.
Sunday was another step in the process for the team, but one the Mocs know they need to learn from.
“We want to get the win,” Lewis said. “We need to get back in the gym and correct the mishaps that we had tonight. Hopefully we can come out next game and play better.”
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.