Box Score 

CHARLESTON, S.C.---The Chattanooga Mocs could not get over the hump after falling behind by double digits in a 79-73 loss at the College of Charleston.  The Mocs (15-11/10-6) fell behind by as many as 14 in the second before closing to as close three with just over a minute.  The Mocs remain one game out of first in the Southern Conference North Division as Appalachian State dropped a 76-70 decision at Elon.

Chattanooga got off to a slow start not scoring until a Matt Gwynne dunk at 15:48 answering a 9-0 start by the Cougars.  Starting with that basket, the Mocs went on an 18-2 run capped by a Kevin Bridgewaters three-pointer at 9:33 to take the early advantage.

CofC quickly answered with back-to-back three-pointers by Tony White, Jr., in less than 20 seconds.  Two Jermaine Johnson free throws at 8:04 pushed the Cougars back into the lead, 19-18.  A Bridgewaters jumper with one second left cut the CofC lead to 35-30 at the break.

The Cougars jumped out to a 45-32 advantage out of the break starting the half on a 10-2 run.  Chattanooga closed to 58-53 on a dunk by Nicchaeus Doaks with 7:55 to play.  The With the Cougars up 65-56, Bridgewaters hit a long three from the top of the key with 4:10 left to make it 65-59.

A Kevin Goffney layup with 2:37 go closed it to five points at 72-67.  Marcus Watts then followed his own missed three-point attempt with a layup at 2:30 to close the margin to three at 72-69.

Two White, Jr. free throws followed by a Bridgewaters kept the margin at three with 1:22 remaining.  After Marcus Hammond missed two free throws, the Mocs were unable to corral the rebound which led to two made free throws by Dustin Scott with 33 seconds left.  White, Jr. led the charge at the line making all eight of his free throw attempts for CofC as the Cougars hit 11-of-14 from the line down the stretch to preserve the victory.

Bridgewaters led all scorers with 21 points while Doaks added 20 points to go with a career-high 16 rebounds.  It was his fifth “double-double” on the year, sixth of his career.  Watts had 11 points, seven boards and three steals.

The Cougars were led by White, Jr., and Andrew Goudelock with 17 apiece.  Scott added 11 points, nine boards, five assists and four blocks, while Jermaine Johnson chipped in 13 points and 10 rebounds.

The Mocs shot a season-high 82 shots, but hit just 34.1 percent from the field compared to 44.4 percent for CofC.  Chattanooga out-rebounded the Cougars 46 to 43 forcing 20 Cougar turnovers.  The Mocs scored 36 points in the paint despite eight CofC blocks.

Chattanooga returns to action Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m., completing the Charleston swing at the Citadel.  The Citadel recorded its first SoCon win of the season with a 57-51 victory over Western Carolina.

NOTES:

>Keyron Sheard made his second start of the year in place of senior Kevin Bridgewaters at point guard.

>Khalil Hartwell returned to the starting lineup for the first time since injuring his knee at Davidson (1/19/08).  He missed four games and came off the bench in the last two.  He has an ACL Deficiency in his knee which basically is playing without one after a tear.

>Nicchaeus Doaks extended his double-digit steak to 12 games.