Chattanooga Basketball Postgame Notes
Chattanooga at Mercer
Hawkins Arena – Macon, Ga.
Wednesday – Feb. 23, 2021
TEAM
- The Chattanooga Mocs dropped an 81-77 Southern Conference contest in overtime at Mercer tonight.  The Mocs fall to 18-7 overall and 9-7 in conference action.  The Bears improved to 15-9 overall and 8-8 in league action.

- Senior David Jean-Baptiste led the Mocs with 24 points, all in the second half.  Sophomore Malachi Smith had 22 points of his own with 16 in the first half.  Senior Darius Banks had 12 while junior A.J. Caldwell added 10. 

- Mocs led 68-65 with three seconds left when Mercer senior Ross Cummings hit a three to tie the game and send it into overtime. 

SoCon Standings -SoCon, Overall
UNCG - 12-5, 17-8
Furman - 10-4, 16-7
Wofford - 11-5, 14-8
Chattanooga - 9-7, 19-6
ETSU - 8-6, 12-10
VMI - 7-7, 12-11
Mercer - 8-8, 15-9

- Mocs only had eight available players for the game … all eight played and six scored. 

- Mocs were an uncharacteristic 9-13 (69.2%) from the FT line … came into the game No. 8 in the nation (SoCon Lead) in free throw percentage (79.0%).

- Mocs had 15 turnovers in the game … most in SoCon play this season … came into the game 19th in the nation (SoCon Leader) in turnovers per game (10.8).

- 14-6 in single-digit margin games (8-6 in SoCon), 7-0 when decided by three or less (4-0 SoCon).

- 9-4 on the road this season. Won 13 of last 18.

- Mercer shot 53.4% from the field (31-58) … highest FG% the Mocs allowed this season … Bears were 17-26 (65.4%) from the field and 6-11 (54.5%) from three in the second half.   

- Mercer's 22 assists on the 31 baskets are the most allowed by UTC this season.

SERIES NOTES
- 82nd meeting
- 41-41 overall
- 15-27 on the road.
- 7-7 in SoCon regular season games.
- 3-5 under Lamont Paris.

INDIVIDUAL
Darius Banks – Sr.-G
- 12 points on 3-9 shooting, 1-3 from three and 5-6 from the FT line.
- Added four boards and two steals.
- Nine game in double-figures … 11th played this season.

A.J. Caldwell – Jr.-G
- 10 points on 4-6 shooting, 1-2 from three and 1-1 from the FT line.
- Added two boards and two assists.
- Seventh game in double-figures this season … 12^th career. 

David Jean-Baptiste – Sr.-G
- Team-high 24 points, all in the second half.
- Shot 10-18 from the field, 4-8 from three.
- 7-9 from the field, 4-5 from three in the second half.
- Game-high six assists. 
- Added three boards and two steals.
- 19th game in double-figures this season.
- Tied for team lead with Malachi Smith with his sixth 20-point game of the season … ninth career.

Malachi Smith – So.-G
- 22 points, 16 in the first half.
- Shot 7-13 from the field, 5-7 from three and 3-6 from the FT line.
- 6-8 from the field and 4-6 from three in the first half.
- Game-high nine rebounds.
- 23rd game in double-figures scoring.
- 12th time leading the team in scoring.
- Tied for team lead with David Jean-Baptiste with sixth 20point game of the season.
- 20th time leading the team in rebounding.