The Echo

Issue date: 2/21/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Jason Kile Reach for it: Kevin Bridgewaters goes up to contest a shot during a recent game against Davidson. The Mocs are 16-11 overall.

The men's basketball team went 1-2 in their three-game road trip, but improved their record to 11-6 in the Southern Conference and 16-11 overall, moving into a tie with Appalachian State University for first place in the SoCon North Division.

The team faced Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Ga. Feb. 9. The mocs dropped a crucial loss 81-61 to the Eagles behind GSU senior Louis Graham's, West Palm Beach, Fla. 17 points. Junior Nicchaeus Doaks, Trenton, Tenn., was the leading scorer for the Mocs also with 17 points.

The Eagles led at halftime by seven points, but started the second half with a 26 to 4 run. The closest UTC would come to the Eagles was 18 points, not enough to pull out the victory.

The Mocs next traveled to Charleston, S.C. Feb. 14 to face the College of Charleston for another SoCon clash. The game was close, but the Cougars were able to defeat the Mocs 79-73.

Senior Kevin Bridgewaters, Columbia, Ky., lead the team in scoring with 21 points while Doaks added a double-double with 20 points and 16 rebounds.

The Cougars showed great teamwork in the win as five players had double figures in scoring following 13 points and 10 rebounds by junior Jermaine Johnson.

The Mocs brought the Cougar deficit to 3 points with 2 minutes left in the game, but Charleston hit seven out of ten free throws to secure the victory.

The road trip looked bleak for UTC as the loss put them in second place behind ASU, but the Mocs were able to pick up a key win against the Citadel Feb. 16.

UTC defeated the Bulldogs 78 to 71, despite a three-point display by the Citadel, who went 17-of-44 from the arc. UTC senior Marcus Watts, Clinton, S.C. had 15 points, but the leading scorer was Doaks who added to his successful road trip with 18 points. Citadel freshman Austin Dahn shot 9-16 from the floor, with 8-14 from the three to lead Bulldogs with a career-high 26 points.

The game hit a turning point when the Mocs went on a 15-0 run in the first half to lead the Bulldogs 43-27 at the break. UTC was held scoreless from the field the final four minutes of the game, but was able to shoot well from the free-throw line to hold onto the win.

The Mocs will finish the season with their final home game Saturday, Feb. 23 against Wofford at 7 p.m. before going on the road to play their last two games.

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