Stefan Kenic made an impact in his playing debut for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men’s basketball team Friday, helping lead the Mocs to a 74-56 win over Alabama State in the Emerald Coast Classic in Niceville, Florida.
Kenic, ruled eligible by the NCAA just this week after transferring from Cleveland (Ohio) State in August, led the Mocs with 15 points despite coming off the bench and playing only 17 minutes.
UTC (4-3) will face Jacksonville State (2-3) at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in the championship game of their bracket. The Gamecocks won 71-62 earlier Friday against Chicago State (3-4).
Keni was joined in double digits by Ramon Vila with 13, David Jean-Baptiste with 11 and Matt Ryan with 10. For Alabama State (0-5), Tobi Ewuosho had 10 points as his team’s only scorer in double figures and also led the Hornets with eight rebounds.
“This guy, he looked like he was preparing, waiting for this moment,” Mocs coach Lamont Paris said of Keni’s first appearance, according to a UTC release. “It’s a tribute to him. But to come out and be that efficient, I was really impressed. It’s not easy, especially that first game back.”