Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
-94,00 CUSA
Chattanooga
10-3,0-0SoCon
Second-half surge powers Chattanooga past Blue Raiders
12/22/2021 9:11:00 PM | Men's Basketball
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee was in control for most of the first 32 minutes, but Chattanooga erupted down the stretch for a 77-65 win. Camryn Weston led the way with 16 points and five rebounds in the loss as the Blue Raiders closed the nonconference portion of their schedule with a 9-4 record.
Chattanooga's 46 second-half points proved to be too much for MT to withstand. The Mocs tied the game on nine separate occasions before finally taking the lead with just under eight minutes to play on the only lead change of the night.
"They were on their run," head coach Nick McDevitt said. "They hit a couple shots, but we took a couple ill-advised shots and didn't make them defend and messed up a couple of our play calls, and now all of a sudden, we're in a hectic situation offensively. I thought our effort was there, but when you're on the road against a good team, they're going to make you pay for it when you screw up.
The Blue Raiders spent more than 18 minutes of the first half with the lead. The Mocs tied the score with 10 seconds remaining in the period, but Donovan Sims put his defender on skates to get open for a go-ahead 3-pointer just before the buzzer sounded.
The Mocs took the lead for the first time all night with 7:54 to play, breaking a 51-all tie with a 3-pointer. Over the next four minutes, Chattanooga built its lead to as large as 12 on the strength of what would become an 18-2 run.
The home team shot 56.0 percent (14-25) from the floor, including 5-of-8 from long distance and 13-for-14 from the free throw line, in the second half to pull away with the victory. Conversely, the Blue Raiders went cold down the stretch, making just two of 13 3-point attempts in the second while converting three of their five free throw attempts.
Game Notes- Weston's 16 points were a career-high.
- Middle Tennessee's bench outscored the starters 35-30.
- Teafale Lenard Jr. blocked four shots, equaling the highest total by a Blue Raider this season.
- Christian Fussell's nine points were his most against a Division I opponent this season.
- MT's 24 rebounds were its fewest on the season.
