STATS | NOTES | QUOTES | PHOTOS | ABOUT CHATTANOOGA BASKETBALL
 
CHATTANOOGA---Nat Dixon's 18 points led the Chattanooga Mocs in a 71-48 defeat at the hands of Georgia State Saturday afternoon. The contest was the final non-conference matchup for the Mocs.
 
Dixon was the lone Moc in double digits with Makinde London adding eight points and a game-high nine rebounds. D'Marcus Simonds led the Panthers with 21 points, six rebounds and six assists.
 
The Panthers looked to run away from the beginning. An 18-2 run over a 10-minute span was the early undoing. The score was 6-5 at 15:52 when a Simonds layup kick-started the spurt. Devin Mitchell capped it with a jumper at 5:30 for the 24-7 advantage.
 
GSU put it away to start the second half. It opened with a 17-3 run over the first six-plus minute of the second frame for the commanding 50-18 advantage. The Mocs got some timely shots from Dixon and London midway through the period, but the Panthers did not afford an opportunity to get back into the game.
 
Coach Lamont Paris was matter-of-fact in his assessment.
 
"Our mentality was not in a state for us to make a comeback. I think for the first time, in a long time, they felt and appeared defeated. We moved in a way that it indicated that. Our spirit was that way and I don't know why. Georgia State is a good team that's coached well. They play well defensively and make teams struggle.
 
"Our quality of shot wasn't great, but even when we had a quality look they still didn't fall. It was a combination of a lot of things."
 
London agreed with his coach while taking a positive look to the upcoming conference slate.
 
"We just didn't bring it. That's what it boils down to. When we compete and play hard, we can play with anybody. We have to regroup and come back ready to go to work. No casualness or relaxation, we really have to go after this. We're a young team, there's nothing to get too high or too low over. It's a whole process and trying not to get caught up in one stage of it.
 
"I'm proud of this team and our guys. As long as we stay together and keep plugging away, that's what matters most. It's about how we handle ourselves and grow as a team."
 
ON THE RECORD
Chattanooga is 6-7, Georgia State is 9-4.
 
THE SERIES
Overall: 24-2
In Chattanooga: 11-2
Last 10: 8-2
 
3 NOTES TO KNOW
View complete notes package from tonight at the notes link above. Three to know…

• 10 turnovers ties for the second lowest total against a DI opponent this season…just 19 over the last 80 minutes after making 19 at Tennessee Tech on Dec. 17.
• Dixon is averaging 18.7 points per game over the last three with 19 (at Tennessee Tech), 19 (at Jacksonville State) and 18 (today).
• Grabbed 91.3 percent of the GSU misses limiting the visitors to just two offensive rebounds…matches the season low for an opponent (Charlotte).

 
QUOTABLE
Access thoughts on tonight's game at the quotes link above.
 
"I feel like we have to learn to put two games together. We came out sluggish and didn't stick to our assignments. We have to learn and grow as a team. That'll come. We're a young team, and that's not an excuse. A lot of these guys are playing important minutes for the first time in their careers. Our effort definitely could have been at a higher level today." – Junior Nat Dixon
 
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
Check out the full box score at the link above. Here are three notable numbers.

• Both teams attempted 53 shots…Georgia State (32) hit twice as many shots as Chattanooga (16).
• Frigid first half shooting making 18.5 percent (5-27) from the field, 15.4 percent (2-13) from 3pt range.
• Season lows for FG (30.2%) and 3pt (22.2%) percentages.

 
COMING UP
Chattanooga heads to Birmingham after the holiday break beginning Southern Conference play at Samford. Game time is 8 p.m., (ET) with it airing on ESPN3/WatchESPN app.
 
For the complete schedule, go here on GoMocs.com.
 
TICKETS ON SALE
Tickets are on sale – single-game and mini-plans – at all the usual places. To buy tickets, you can:
 

• Visit the Gate 1 Ticket Office at McKenzie Arena during business hours (closed Thursday & Friday opening at 5 p.m., Saturday)
• Call the McKenzie Arena Ticket Office at (423) 266-MOCS (6627) during business hours (closed Thursday & Friday opening at 5 p.m., Saturday).
• Go online via GoMocs.com: Single-Game | Mini-Plan
• Group tickets are available by calling (423) 425-5470.

 
GoMocs.com is the official website of the Chattanooga Mocs. Buy officially licensed gear in our online store. The Mocs can also be followed on their official Facebook page or on Twitter. Find out how to join the UTC Mocs Club and support more than 300 student-athletes by clicking here.