Mocs fight through suspensions, injuries in win

The Men's basketball team beat Appalachian State University 87-77 Saturday, rebounding from their first Southern Conference loss to Davidson Jan. 19. The Mocs regained the top spot in the Southern Conference North Division rankings in front of an audience of 4,467 in McKenzie Arena. They are now 8-2 in the conference and 13-7 overall.

The team had six players in double figures, led by a double-double from junior Qavotstaraj "Q" Waddell, Norfolk, Va., who scored 10 points and 10 rebounds.

"I just knew I had to step up to the plate this game," Waddell said.

The leading scorer for the Mocs was senior Kevin Bridgewaters, Columbia, Ky., who had 20 points. Junior Stephen McDowell, Indianapolis, added 15 points.

"It was a team effort," McDowell said. "Everybody on this team is capable of scoring the ball."

The Mocs had to pick up the scoring with junior Khalil Hartwell, Philadelphia, Pa., out indefinitely with a knee injury and sophomore Matt Gwynne, Angier, N.C. facing a suspension from the team.

"It's been very difficult for us," Head Coach John Shulman said.

"We lost the heart and soul of our team, Khalil. We suspended Gwynne and we didn't know if Watts and Goffney were going to play." Shulman said.

Senior Marcus Watts, Clinton, S.C. had 11 points and junior Kevin Goffney, Ethel, La. had 12 points. Each played 28 minutes in the game.

UTC shot 56 percent from the field while ASU only shot 39 percent. The Mocs held a ten point lead at half time and led by as many as 16 points in the second half.

UTC took a 44-34 lead into the half after they put together a 12-6 run. Then the teams were neck and neck, alternating runs in the second half, but it was a three-pointer by Bridgewaters that decided the game.

ASU never led the game. Freshman Donald Sims, Gaffney, S.C., led the Mountaineers with 23 points and senior Donte Minter, Salisbury, N.C., put up 13 points and 8 rebounds. The Mocs and The Mountaineers had 14 total assists.

"They came out with a lot of energy," Sims said.

"Coach Shulman always gets his players ready to play," ASU Head Coach Houston Fancher said. "They distributed the ball very well."

ASU moved to second place in the SoCon North division, going 7-3 in the conference and 12-7 overall.

Shulman knows even though his team is in first place, they need to concentrate on the next two games.

"Don't get fat and happy," The coach said. "And focus on playing Chattanooga basketball."

The Mocs will look to continue their winning ways as they finish their three-game home stand in McKenzie Arena against conference rivals Georgia Southern tonight at 7 p.m. UTC will then face off against Davidson Saturday Feb. 2.