Two runs, one in each half, proved fatal to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men's basketball team Saturday in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Host UNCG, after trailing for much of the first half, ended it on a 13-4 run, then turned a three-point game into a double-digit lead early in the second half to key a 85-72 Southern Conference win.
The Mocs (6-9, 1-1) outshot the Spartans (13-2, 2-0), 52.9 percent to 47 percent, but the visitors committed five more turnovers and lost the rebounding battle 37-25.
Playing their SoCon road opener, the Mocs dictated play early. Kevin Easley hit three early shots as UTC went up 21-14 halfway through the first half, and when A.J. Caldwell and Ramon Vila combined for five quick points, the lead grew to 25-16. The advantage was four when the Spartans, sparked by a renewed defensive effort, closed with the strong run.
Three Mocs turnovers keyed the run, which started when Francis Alonso, who struggled most of the game, hit a 3-pointer. Isaiah Miller hit a layup and later forced two turnovers, turning the latter into a Malik Massey layup and a sudden 33-28 UNCG lead.
A David Jean-Baptiste jumper got the Mocs off to a good start in the second half, but Kyrin Galloway opened a quick UNCG 7-0 run with a 3-pointer. The Spartans' lead was six when Miller made back-to-back baskets to push it to 12 four minutes into the half.
The Mocs tried to rally, getting within eight on a Vila jumper, but consecutive 3-pointers from Malik Massey and Miller swelled the margin to 15. Miller, who led the Spartans with 21 points, hit a short jumper and made a steal and a layup to put the Mocs down 72-51 with nine minutes left.
Eric Hamilton added 15 points and keyed the Spartans' rebounding edge with 10. The Mocs held Alonso, the reigning SoCon player of the week, to 13 points on 3-of-11 shooting.
Vila, playing his fifth game for UTC, led the Mocs with 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting, with Jean-Baptiste adding 16 and Donovann Toatley 15. After his quick start, Easley drew extra attention from the Spartans and finished with just 10 points, though he led UTC rebounders with eight.
UTC continues its three-game SoCon road swing with a matchup at Western Carolina at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6296. Follow him on Twitter @youngsports22.