2021-22 Chattanooga Mocs Men's Basketball
Game 13 – MTSU– Dec. 22 – McKenzie Arena
Postgame Quotes 

Head Coach Lamont Paris:
Opening statement.
"They have a good team that plays really hard. They are long and athletic. I thought we had a great response in the second half. We couldn't get it clicking and put it all together in the first half. There was a point in the second half where we talked to our guys about taking the lead. We talked about taking the lead and once we took the lead not looking back. What a great response and performance from our guys and a great note to go into Christmas holiday on so they'll be all excited about getting toys and gifts. Really good effort for the guys and I'm happy for them."

On Malachi Smith's performance.
"He's a good player. It's obvious he's a good player. He continues to grow. It's not about can you score at the basket, but can you see a play and make that play. He's an aggressive natural scorer. He doesn't need to have his foot on the gas trying to make shots, he effects the game in other ways too. He's our leading assist guy. When he is getting the ball spread around, it opens it up for him. He's a good, unselfish player."

On ending the two-game skid.
"We had the last two that we had lost. We are playing another good team. Internally it was important…belief and morale for the guys. Questions can come up here and there when you play three in a row and don't win. It's really important going into the break and important for the guys' mindset too."

On the crowd.
"It says a lot about the team. It's around Christmas time too so there might be some people traveling. There were a lot of reasons for it not to be a great crowd, and it was. There's a lot of excitement for our team and the guys. You have Silvio [DeSousa] putting his elbows in the rim. You have guys making big time plays and passes. I think this city is ready to explode. I hope they bring their popcorn."

Malachi Smith, So. – G
On how important this game was for him.
"As a leader its important I was able to lead the way. I took full responsibility from the last game on defense. I know the numbers said I had a really good game, but the things that don't show on the stat sheet, like defensive stats, I was lacking. That's why I am confident in my abilities and we were able to bounce back."

On what made the team bounce back.
"Looking at our opportunity and taking every advantage of it. Every team that comes in once to beat us and if we just do want we are supposed to do, we'll be in every game, if not win. With this being the last game before conference, we want to get that momentum.  
 
On DJB's three-point shooting.
"I always tell him, I'm going to find you. I was able to find him for three in the second half."

On the importance of the win right now.
"You don't want to dwell on losses too much. Where we are at is where you'd expect. We have high expectations and we know getting wins like this help push for bigger things down the line."

David Jean-Baptiste, Gr. – G.  
On the plays down the stretch.
"Jamaal [Walker] hit a big time shot. It was a big time pass by AJ [Caldwell]. We have different players making an impact and playing a role.

On the crowd's energy.
"Shout out to our fans. We have the best fans in the Southern Conference. Hearing the crowd… it came through the team. Our crowd is big time. I love our fans."