Box Score
GREENSBORO, NC- A critical 11-0 run in the game's waning minutes propelled Chattanooga to an 87-74 victory over UNC Greensboro Saturday night in Fleming Gymnasium. With the win, Chattanooga improves to 14-9 on the season and 7-5 in Southern Conference action. UNCG slips to 8-14 overall and 5-7 in league play.
With 6:59 left in regulation UNCG was clinging to a 66-65 lead. Chattanooga then went on a critical 11-0 run, capped off by a Mindaugas Katelynas dun at the 2:57, to take a 76-66 lead. In all, the Mocs closed out the game on a 22-8 run.
The opening minutes of the game saw UNCG's Jay Joseph and Chattanooga's Chris Brown exchange trade 3-pointers like they were going out of style. Brown hit four in the first 10 minutes, while Joseph connected on three and a two-pointer for 11 points. After such a fast start, neither player would score for the remainder of the first half.
The first half saw a total of eight lead changes and six ties. At the 11:19 mark, Ray Bristow hit his second 3-pointer of the evening to give UNCG a 24-21 lead. The Spartans would hold on to that until an Ashley Champion free throw with 2:34 left in the half gave the Mocs a 39-38 advantage. An Alphonso Pugh tip-in just before the buzzer gave the Mocs a 43-40 lead at the half.
Chattanooga was a sizzling 58.6% (17-29) from the floor in the first half, while UNCG wasn't far behind at 53.3% (16-30). Both teams hit six 3-pointers in the half and pulled down 14 rebounds.
The Mocs quickly gained control in the second half, extending their lead to as many as seven on three occasions, with 58-51 being the last. The Spartans then began cutting into the lead and eventually took the lead once again at 61-60. After a flurry of lead changes, the Spartans once again were on top, 66-65. Chattanooga then went on a critical 11-0 run to take a 10-point lead, 76-66. The Mocs held on for the victory.
Jason Rogan had 26 points, 10 rebounds, seven steals and five assists to lead Chattanooga. It was Rogan's first double-double of the season. Ashley Champion, Mindaugas Katelynas and Chris Brown all scored 16 points. As a team Chattanooga shot 53.4% (31-58) from the field and pressured UNCG into 17 turnovers.
Joseph paced the Spartans attack with 22 points and six rebounds. Josh Gross hit his first eight shots of the evening and finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds for his first career double-double. Ray Bristow added 12 points on four 3-pointers. The Spartans outrebounded the Mocs, 37-31, on the game.
With 22 points, Joseph moved into second place on the UNCG all-time scoring list with 1541. Joseph passed Scott Hartzell (1992-96) who had 1,539. James Maye (1998-03) currently is the school's all-time leading scorer with 1,574.
UNCG is now in a three-way tie for third place in the Southern Conference North Division at 5-7. The Spartans are tied with Elon and Western Carolina. Chattanooga strengthened its hold on second place at 7-5.
UNCG returns to action again on Tuesday, February 17, at home against Appalachian State. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 pm in Fleming Gymnasium. Chattanooga will travel to Elon to take on the Phoenix on Monday, February 16, at 7:30 pm.
