(Photo Credit: Dale Rutemeyer/GoMocs.com) Greg Pryor had 16 points, seven rebounds and seven assists leading the Mocs to the 13-point triumph over the visiting Bears
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CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.---The Chattanooga Mocs broke open a close game in the second half to run away with a 74-61 win over visiting Mercer in front of a raucous crowd in McKenzie Arena. The win gets the Mocs to 19-9 for the season, 12-3 in the Southern Conference. The Bears drop to 15-13, 10-5 in the league.
Ronrico White started a 10-2 run with a three-pointer with 13:17 to play. That turned a one-point deficit into a 51-44 lead after he book-ended the spurt with another trey at 10:25.
Mercer responded with five straight points to get back within two, but White drained another three with just over eight minutes to go to stretch it to five. White hit three of his four treys and scored 10 of his game-high 17 points in the second half.
“When we were a little dry there,” coach Will Wade shared. “He hit a couple of shots and got us going. That's what you want out of your seniors. It's his last weekend playing home games. He responded the right way which is what you want.”
The Bears cut the Mocs margin to three twice, but they could not get defensive stops down the stretch. Phillip Leonard's two free throws with 7:17 to play gave the hosts a 54-51 lead. Chattanooga scored on 10 of its final 11 possessions over the last six minutes beginning with Tuoyo's layup off a great look from White.
A Greg Pryor three, a Tuoyo jumper and a nice Pryor mid-range basket over the Bears defense was followed by Casey Jones' baseline shot on a nice feed from Pryor for a 65-57 advantage with 2:18 left. Mercer sent a parade of Mocs to the free throw line in last 1:33, and they were up to the task. The squad made nine for 10 including a perfect 8-8 for Pryor to net the 74-61 win.
Pryor had one of his best all-around games with 16 points, seven rebounds and a career-high seven assists. The seven boards tied his career high. Tuoyo added 14 points, six rebounds and three blocks, while Eric Robertson came off the bench for 11 points.
“Pryor, I know I'm biased…I wouldn't trade him for many folks,” Wade added. “He's our floor leader. It's comforting as a coach having him and Rico out there. They complement each other really well.”
Jibri Bryan led Mercer with 15 points. T.J. Hallice had 13 points and five rebounds, as Darious Moten and Phillip Leonard chipped 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Chattanooga shot 53.5 percent from the floor, while limiting the Bears to just 39.3 percent. Mercer started hot, but made 15 of their final 44 (34.1%). The Mocs out-rebounded their guests by 11, 38-27, but it was 22-9 in the pivotal second half.
Mercer got off to a quick start making their first four threes to lead by 11, 20-9, on Hallice's layup at 12:48. The Mocs weathered the storm. Robertson sparked an 8-0 run with three free throws after getting fouled in the left corner. Chuck Ester nailed a three and Duke Ethridge had a tip in to turn a four-point deficit into a 33-29 lead.
Jordan Strawberry ended the three-and-a-half minute drought to start a 6-0 spurt. Down two now, Robertson drew another foul and his free tosses with 10 seconds to go leveled the score at 35-all at the break.
The game was played in front of the third-largest crowd of the season, 4,043, including a vociferous student section.
“I want to thank everyone who came tonight,” Wade concluded. “I thought the crowd was awesome. I'm really proud of our students. I think we responded. I love it when people bow their neck up and have pride in their school. I thought our crowd was great and hopefully we can duplicate it and do even better Saturday.
“All the folks coming out definitely played a part in us being able to pull this thing off down the stretch.”
White agreed, ““The crowd definitely had an impact. They were loud. They were rowdy, talking to the other team and really just gave us that extra energy.”
It's Senior Night for White, Lance Stokes and Martynas Bareika with the regular season home finale Saturday night against historic-rival ETSU. Game time is 8 p.m., on the American Sports Network. The radio broadcast locally on the Mocs Sports Network is at US 101 the Legend at 96.1 FM. Fans can also watch online via americansportsnet.com.
Tickets can be purchased via the link above or by calling (423) 266-MOCS (6627) during business hours. Gameday links to video (ASN), audio (MSN) and live stats are available on GoMocs.com. Follow @GoMocsMBB on Twitter for live updates.
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ABOUT CHATTANOOGA BASKETBALL
- The Mocs are by far the most successful program in the Southern Conference since joining the league in 1977-78. The team has won 28 titles with 10 regular season, 10 tournament and eight division.
- 15 NCAA Tournament Appearances: 1961 (DII), 1973 (DII), 1975 (DII), 1976 (DII Runner-up), 1977 (DII National Champs), 1981, 1982, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997 (Sweet 16), 2005, 2009
- 10 SoCon Tournament Crowns: 1981, 1982, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2005, 2009
- 10 SoCon Regular Season Championships: 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994
- 8 Division Titles: 1995, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2011
- The 1997 team went to the NCAA Sweet 16 with wins over Georgia and Illinois.
- 5 SoCon Players of the Year: Willie White (1981-82), Keith Nelson (1991-92), Tim Brooks (1992-93), Chad Copeland (1993-94) and Johnny Taylor (1996-97).
- 1 SoCon Defensive Player of the Year: Z. Mason (2014).
- 3 SoCon Coaches of the Year: Murray Arnold (1982, '83), Mack McCarthy (1986, '92, '93) and Will Wade (2014).
- 9 NBA Draft Picks: Walter “Moose” McGary (1973 & '74), William Gordon (1977), Wayne Golden (1977), Russ Schoene (1982), Nick Morken (1982), Willie White (1984), Gerald Wilkins (1985, 13 seasons) and Johnny Taylor (1997 1st Round).
