NOTES | QUOTES

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Chattanooga Mocs men's basketball team used another dominating second-half effort on both sides of the floor to notch its third-straight victory after defeating Gardner-Webb 82-71 inside Paul Porter Arena on Saturday afternoon in Boiling Springs, N.C.
 
Following the win, Chattanooga improves to 5-3 on the season and has successfully eliminated a halftime deficit in each of its last three wins. Gardner-Webb falls to 2-6 after the defeat in its home opener of the 2022-23 season.
 
Trailing 39-38 at halftime, UTC out-scored GWU 44-32 in the second half and limited the Runnin' Bulldogs to a 27.3% (9-of-33) mark from the field including a 18.2% (2-of-11) tally from three during that span.
 
"I'm just really proud of our guys. I have a ton of respect for Gardner-Webb and what they've done over the recent years, Coach [Tim] Craft does a fantastic job … we had a lot of guys contribute today," said head coach Dan Earl.
 
"Overall, anytime you can get a road win is big, especially over a good team like Gardner-Webb. It's great to have a response in the second half, I just can't put my finger on exactly why that's happened the last two times out, but it's great when we respond."
 
Jake Stephens led all scorers with 27 points, his third-straight game with 26 or more, and nearly missed his fifth double-double of the season behind a nine-rebound effort while also adding a season-high five blocks. Dalvin White (12) and Jamaal Walker (10) each reached double figures with White pacing the offense with a game-high five assists.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams opened the game scoring at a high clip as Gardner-Webb claimed a 10-9 lead (15:12) at the first media timeout following a four-of-five start from the field. White provided a spark on offense with five quick points to give UTC a 17-14 (11:45) edge near halfway through the first.
 
Randy Brady knocked down a high-arching three to break a tie and allow the Mocs to gain a 22-19 (9:21) before the Runnin' Bulldogs knocked down four-straight from the field to pull back in front 28-26 (5:36). Demetrius Davis hit a corner three at the first half buzzer to send UTC into the locker room down a point, 39-38.
 
AJ Caldwell and White each nailed threes at the top of the key early in the second half to flip the one-point edge in favor of the visitors, 47-46 (15:09). The Mocs continued to apply the defensive pressure over the next few minutes and scored five of the next seven to capture its biggest lead of the game at four, 52-48 (11:49).
 
Brody Robinson entered the three-point chat with the deepest of the game from either team to extend the lead to seven, 57-50 (11:22), before the advantage grew to double digits at 11, 65-54 (8:39), on back-to-back treys from Stephens and Jamal Johnson.
 
Chattanooga went up 71-59 with 4:21 left in the game before hitting a scoring drought that lasted three-plus minutes to allow Gardner-Webb to cut the deficit to seven, 71-64 (1:26). That would be the closest the hosts would get down the stretch as UTC capped off the 82-71 road victory.

RECORDS/SERIES – Chattanooga 5-3 · Gardner-Webb 2-6 · Series: Chattanooga ties the all-time series 1-1.
 
NOTES TO KNOW
- During the current three-game winning streak, Chattanooga has trailed at halftime in all three… UTC has held its opposition to 32 points or less in the second half in all three… the Mocs held the Runnin' Bulldogs to a 27.3% (9-of-33) field-goal percentage over the final 20 minutes… 18.2% (2-of-11) mark from deep in that span.
 
- Chattanooga finished 12-of-27 (44.4%) from three in the win… entered the game ranked fifth in NCAA DI in three-pointers per game (11.8)… three-straight games with 12 or more… first time accomplishing the feat since 2018 (December 1-12).
 
- Eight different Mocs recorded at least one three-pointer in the win… third time this season with eight or more… set a new NCAA DI record with 10 different players during the win over Covenant a few weeks ago.

QUOTES
Jake Stephens on the team coming together and learning roles.
"We're doing a great job. We're bringing it in practice every day which is big. We have had a lot of guys step up and fill those roles when we ask them to. I think this is how it's going to be down the stretch. When one guy struggles, we'll have another one step up. We're just trying to get better every day."
 
Dan Earl on the team figuring out the system and roles.
"We have a lot of work to do in figuring things out, it takes time. We're starting to settle into roles a little bit more. We have a lot of guys who can positively affect the game. Not everyone is going to play great every time out, we just have to play with intensity and add value to the game. I think we're starting to figure things out in our system with each passing day."

NEXT UP – vs. Milwaukee – Tuesday, Dec. 6 – 7:00 p.m. ET – McKenzie Arena – BUY TICKETS
 
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