FINAL STATS
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. --- Behind a career-high 38 points and school-record tying nine three-pointers from Stephen McDowell, the Chattanooga men's basketball team defeated Niagara 99-84 Tuesday in the final game of the 2008 Dr Pepper Classic. The win gives the Mocs its second straight win as UTC improves to 4-8 while the Purple Eagles drop to 10-3.
McDowell was a much needed sparkplug for the Mocs, who have occasionally struggled in the early stages of contests this season. The senior connected with three threes in the first six minutes and seven total treys in the first half.
McDowell was not the only Moc with a career performance on Tuesday night as senior Khalil Hartwell had a career high 20 points and Nicchaeus Doaks brought down a career-best 17 rebounds. Doaks also scored in double-figures with 18 for his sixth double-double of the season. Keyron Sheard chipped in 12 points, one shy of his season-high.
As a team the Mocs shot a season-high 57.1 percent, going 32-of-56 from the field. In addition to its hot shooting, UTC controlled the boards as the Mocs outrebounded Niagara 47-31 in the contest.
At the break, the Mocs' lead was only three at 43-40. The Mocs sizzled the nets shooting 66.7 percent from the field in the second half, while controlling the boards with a 24-11 advantage over the final 20 minutes.
In the beginning of the second half Niagara quickly snatched the lead from the Mocs as the Purple Eagles scored two quick buckets to go up 44-43 with 19:09 remaining. That would be the last time Niagara led in the contest as a Kevin Goffney jumper but UTC up to stay.
From that point, the Mocs would begin to slowly expand its lead and led by as many as 21. Chattanooga's big men, Doaks and Hartwell, were huge for UTC, putting in 14 and 15, respectively, in the half.
The Mocs will now be off for the rest of 2008 before the team resumes its Southern Conference schedule with a road matchup at Georgia Southern on Jan. 3. Tip off is slated for 5:30 p.m. from Statesboro, Ga.
NOTES
>The Dr Pepper Classic title is the 13th in 19 attempts for the Mocs. It is the second under John Shulman.
>All-Tournament Team: Stephen McDowell, UTC (MVP); Nicchaeus Doaks, UTC; Khalil Hartwell, UTC; Tyrone Lewis, Niagara; Benson Egemonye, Niagara; Harold Griffin, Lee.
>50th win in McKenzie Arena for Shulman.
>Mocs are 7-3 under Shulman in Dr Pepper Classic.
>First win over a MAAC program. Chattanooga entered the game 0-2 including a loss to Canisius in the finals of the 1996 Dr Pepper Classic.
>Last non-conference win over nationally-prominent mid-major program: 69-64 over Creighton on Dec. 6, 2005.
>The Mocs win snapped a five-game Niagara overall win streak and eight-game streak away from home.
>Included in Niagara's 10 wins is a 95-80 home win over SoCon North Division contender Appalachian State.
