STATESBORO, Ga.---In a late Saturday afternoon matchup, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men's basketball program dropped a 78-74 at Georgia Southern (4-6/2-0). Chattanooga (4-9/0-2) squandered a late six-point lead in losing the SoCon matchup.
The Mocs got off to a good start scoring the game's first five points and holding the Eagles without a field goal for the first 3:30 of the game. GSU would battle back and take a 26-17 lead with 5:48 to go in the first half on an Antonio Hanson three-point basket.
Chattanooga answered quickly with a three-pointer by Keyron Sheard followed by five consecutive points by Kevin Goffney to help even the score at 26 on a Nicchaeus Doaks free throw at 4:02. Back-to-back treys by Sheard and McDowell helped push the Mocs to a 35-33 lead at the break.
The second half saw a quick start from the Mocs out-scoring Georgia Southern 11-4 going into the first media timeout (15:36) with a 46-37 advantage. GSU answered with eight straight to close within one at 46-45 holding the Mocs without a field goal for 3:28.
With the score at 50-49 for the Mocs (11:42), Chattanooga went on a 12-3 run to jump out to a 10-point lead at 62-52. The run was fueled by Stephen McDowell with two deep threes and a little defense holding GSU with out a field goal for 2:24.
While the Eagles battled back, the Mocs extended back to eight points when Sheard was injured on a drive to the basket at 5:23 leading to an open three-pointer at the other end by Hanson to cut the lead to 69-64 with 5:17 left.
Sheard re-entered the game at 3:15 with the Mocs up 72-66. The Eagles went on flurry with back-to-back threes and a driving basket in the lane by Willie Powers with 1:38 to go to give GSU its first second half lead 74-72.
Free throw shooting was a nemesis for the Mocs as Goffney missed the front end of a one-and-bonus at 1:27 was followed by Sheard missing the two with 35.7 to play to keep the Eagles ahead. The Mocs made just seven of 18 from the charity stripe for the game, 38.9 percent.
Hanson gave the Eagles a four-point cushion with two free throws at 26.5. Doaks followed his own miss with 11.7 to go to make it 76-74 GSU. Two Anthony Marshall free throws with 6.5 seconds left sealed the 78-74 Eagles victory.
The Mocs were led by McDowell and Sheard with 17 apiece as they combined to make nine three-pointers in the game. The four by Sheard is a career high, while McDowell made four in the second half. Doaks and Goffney each had 13 points while Goffney tied a career high with 14 rebounds, as Doaks grabbed nine of his own as the Mocs held a 49-38 advantage on the glass.
Hanson led all scorers with 22 points. Powers added 17 with five assists and three steals.
Chattanooga returns home on Thursday, Jan. 8, to host Wofford at 7 p.m.
NOTES
>Starting Lineup: Forwards: Nicchaeus Doaks and Kevin Goffney, Center: Khalil Hartwell, Guards: Stephen McDowell and Keyron Sheard.
>Chattanooga won the tip.
>The game started with just two officials due to a miscommunication on game time.
>The Mocs are now 1-6 on the road, 0-2 on the SoCon road.
>Largest Mocs Lead: 10 (62-52)/Largest Mocs Deficit: 9 (17-26)
>Tonight's game is a part of a road doubleheader with the Lady Mocs playing the first game against the Lady Eagles. GSU won the opening act 66-65. The last time it occurred was Jan. 14, 2006 at Western Carolina with the Lady Mocs claiming a win, while the Mocs dropped a 74-56 decision.
>The series is now 25-15 in favor of Chattanooga. The Mocs are 7-9 in Hanner Fieldhouse. Shulman is now 3-4 against the Eagles, 1-3 in Statesboro.
>Stephen McDowell has made a three-point shot in 34 straight games which ranks fourth in the nation and tops in the Southern Conference. He has hit three or more in eight straight.
>McDowell moved past Wes Moore (1996-99) in three-pointers made now with 168.
>Tonight's game is the 10th road game of the 13 games thus far for the Mocs.
