UTC forward Justin Tuoyo puts up a shot over Citadel forward Brian White during Wednesday night’s game at McKenzie Arena.Staff Photo by Doug Strickland/Times Free PressUTC forward Justin Tuoyo drives to the basket over Citadel forward Brian White during Wednesday night’s SoCon game at McKenzie Arena.
Mark WiedmerFor some strange reason – desperation, perhaps? – The Citadel post player Zane Najdawi decided to launch a 3-pointer in the face of University of Tennessee at Chattanooga center Justin Tuoyo in the final minutes of their Southern Conference game Wednesday night at McKenzie Arena.
Bad idea. Very bad idea.
Tuoyo blocked it, almost catching it. When the ball soon again wound up in Najdawi’s hands on the same possession, Tuoyo’s continued presence forced a turnover the Mocs senior corralled before smartly handing it off to Jonathan Burroughs-Cook, who scored on the other end.
The Mocs led 81-64, which would be their biggest lead of this eventual 83-73 win, their fourth in five starts in SoCon play.
Said Bulldogs boss Duggar Baucom at game’s end as he glanced a stat sheet that showed Tuoyo finishing with 13 points, 13 rebounds, four blocks and three assists in 32 minutes of action: “Tuoyo’s gotten better every year.”