CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. --- The Chattanooga Mocs' comeback from an 11-point second half deficit fell shy of the mark as it dropped an 81-76 decision to Georgia State (6-5/1-0 CAA) in the Championship game of the 21st Dr Pepper Classic Thursday night.  Chattanooga (7-7/3-0 SoCon) cut the lead to three late, but could not get over the hump.

After starting the game 0-13 from three-point range, the Mocs missed its last seven field goal attempts in the final two minutes.  The missed opportunities coupled with defensive lapses led to the early deficit.

The Panthers shot 54.5 percent (30-55) from the field and 41.7 percent (10-24) from three-point range in the win.  GSU shot 69.6 percent (16-23) in the second half alone, and it also held a slim 36-34 advantage on the boards for the game.

DeAntre Jefferson (Bloomington, Ill.) led the Mocs with a career-high 19 points on five for five from the field and nine of 10 from the free throw line.  He also grabbed eight rebounds.

Dante Curry and Eric Buckner combined for 44 points for the Panthers.  Curry's 21 was aided by a seven of 12 performance from three-point range as he hit 13 treys over two tourney games in McKenzie Arena.  Buckner had 23 points and eight rebounds making 10 of his 11 shot attempts.

A Brandon McGee layup gave Georgia State a 73-62 lead with 7:55 to play, but that's when it got interesting.  The Mocs answered with a 9-2 run capped by a Ricky Taylor (Brownsville, Tenn.) free throw at 2:34.

After Buckner hit two free throws, Omar Wattad (Johnson City, Tenn.) made a huge three-pointer to cut the margin in half, 77-74, with 2:04 remaining.  But that's the last field goal the Mocs would make.  Despite a two for eight free throw performance for the Panthers in the final 1:13, GSU held on for the win.

Wattad tied Jefferson for team-high honors with 19 points including four treys.  Taylor had 16 points, while Keegan Bell (Hazel Green, Ala.) added 15 points and six assists.

Devonta White had 10 points for Georgia State.  Josh Micheaux came off the bench with a fine all-around performance scoring eight points with six rebounds, seven assists and two steals.

After starting the game 0-13 from beyond the arc, Chattanooga made eight of its last 21 (38.1%).  Inside three-point-land, the Mocs shot 70.8 percent (17-24) for the game.

GSU got off to an excellent start leading by as many as 15, 39-24, on two McGee free throws.  Bell scored six points in leading the Mocs on a 7-0 run to end the half down eight, 39-31.

After allowing 12 second chance points to the Panthers in the first half, the Mocs did not allow another such point the rest of the game.  GSU did score 34 points in the paint to 28 for Chattanooga.

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi out-lasted Montreat, coached by former Mocs guard Lincoln Walters, 84-77 in the consolation game.  Demon Watt had 18 points and 12 rebounds for the Islanders, while Justin Reynolds added 13 points and seven boards.  Cameron Hayes led the Cavaliers with 16 on four for four shooting from three-point range.

Dante Curry was named most valuable player.  The all-tournament team also included DeAntre Jefferson (Chattanooga), Omar Wattad (Chattanooga), Eric Buckner (Georgia State), Cameron Hayes (Montreat) and Justin Reynolds (Texas A&M-Corpus Christi).

The Mocs return to the hardcourt on Monday, Jan. 3, at Austin Peay for an 8 p.m. (EST) start.  Fans can access live audio and stats via Chattanooga All-Access on GoMocs.com.  The game will also be broadcast on the Mocs Sports Network on ESPN 105.1 FM in the Chattanooga area with the "Voice of the Mocs" Jim Reynolds.