Box Score
ANAHEIM, Calif.---Chattanooga (2-2) struggled most of the day, but found the right switch in claiming an 85-80 win over the Anteaters of Cal-Irvine 85-80.
“We have a lot to learn,” said Head Coach John Shulman. “It is always better to learn from a win than a loss.
“It was a great win for our ballclub.”
The Anteaters took a 12-point lead (71-59) on a three-point play by guard Chuma Awaji with 8:59 to play. Chattanooga took over from there with a suffocating half-court trapping defense and hot-shooting offense. The Mocs went on an 18-2 run over the next 4:32 to take the lead for good.
Junior guard Stephen McDowell (Indianapolis, Ind.) score 18 of his game-high 26 points in the second half including all five of his three-pointers. Senior guard Kevin Bridgewaters (Columbia, Ky.) added 17 points, while Nicchaeus Doaks (Trenton, Tenn.) chipped in 12 points, a game-high six boards and four assists.
The Mocs shot a scintillating 60.4 percent (29-48) from the floor. It's a good thing too since UCI hit 56 percent (28-50) of its shots. UTC will face the winner of South Alabama and San Diego in the fifth-place game at 5:30 p.m. (EST).
