The Chattanooga Mocs shot 71% from the floor in the first half and never looked back as they posted an 85-59 Southern Conference win over VMI in men’s basketball action Thursday night at McKenzie Arena.
The Mocs, who lead all Division I programs in total wins this year, raised their overall record to 24-4 and 13-2 in SoCon play.
Chattanooga placed four players in double figures and was led by guard Dee Oldham who hit three 3-point shots on his way to a 14-point night. Guard Tre’ McLean added 12 points and 13 rebounds.
VMI (7-18, 2-12) was led in scoring by guard Q.J. Peterson who tallied 24 points for his ninth 20+ point game of the season. Forward Phillip Anglade added 13 points – hitting double figures scoring for the fifth time over the last six games.
Chattanooga led 52-23 at the break and jumped out to a 10-0 lead to start the second half and led by as many as 40 points following a dunk by Chuck Ester with 13:10 remaining.
The Keydets closed within 24 points on an Armani Branch jumper with over two minutes remaining, but could come no closer.
Chattanooga outrebounded VMI, 42-28, on the boards and outscored the Keydets, 44-26, in the paint. The Mocs also capitalized on eight VMI turnovers in the first half that were converted into 13 points to help break the game open.
The Mocs hit their first six shots from the floor setting the tone for a 20-3 opening burst following a 3-pointer by Alex Bran at the 14:38 mark of the opening half.
The Keydets countered with a 17-12 rally and pulled within 32-20 after Anglade dunked at the 5:16 mark. The Mocs ended the first half as they began with another 20-3 run to break the game open. Forward Duke Etheridge capped the spurt with consecutive baskets to close out the half.
The Keydets went scoreless for the five minutes of the second half before Peterson began a string of eight straight points on his way to a 17-point second half.
The Mocs cooled down to 39.3% shooting in the second half but finished the game 55.9% from the floor. The Keydets shot 34.5% from the field and 5 of 19 beyond the 3-point arc.
VMI returns to action Saturday against Samford with a 3 pm (EST) tip in Birmingham, Alabama.
Press Conference: VMI head coach Dan Earl
“We knew Chattanooga was a good team, but unfortunately we didn’t come out and play as hard as we needed to. We missed some shots, they made some shots as their confidence got going, but they were moving faster than us, playing harder, particularly in the first half and that was disappointing.”
“We got down early, responded a little bit, but they hit us with another punch and we didn’t respond. I thought we did play harder in the second half which was good. You have to continue to compete and play hard. You have to turn the page and move forward and realize how you can get better and move on to get prepared for Samford Saturday.”
Share
Contributors
