The Chattanooga Mocs delivered a decisive blowout victory over the The Citadel Bulldogs at McAlister Field House, prevailing 93-72. The final scoreline paints a clear picture of the margin between these two Southern Conference opponents, with the Mocs' 21-point advantage a testament to their superior performance. Chattanooga's NET ranking of #287 proved to be a more accurate reflection of their abilities than The Citadel's #350 ranking.
The score was lopsided from the opening tip, with Chattanooga holding a 21-point lead at halftime (50-29) and ultimately cruising to a 21-point win in the second half (43-43). This margin suggests a clear disconnect between the two teams, with Chattanooga's offense and defense clicking on all cylinders while The Citadel struggled to keep pace.
Brennan Watkins led the Mocs with 16 points, shooting 44.4% from the field and 37.5% from beyond the arc. His 5 rebounds and 3 assists rounded out a well-rounded performance, as he demonstrated his ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game. Watkins' efficiency from the free throw line, where he was 5 for 5, also highlighted his poise under pressure.
Jordan Frison and Teddy Washington Jr. were the Mocs' second and third leading scorers, respectively. Frison contributed 16 points, shooting 66.7% from the field and 66.7% from three, while also dishing out 4 assists. Washington Jr. added 15 points, shooting 75% from the field and 50% from three, while also blocking 2 shots and grabbing 4 rebounds. The two players' complementary skills helped to spread the offense and keep The Citadel's defense on its heels.
Despite the lopsided loss, Braxton Williams' 26 points were a bright spot for The Citadel, as he also pulled down 11 rebounds and dished out 2 assists. However, his 8-23 shooting from the field, including 5-14 from three-point range, was a concern, as he struggled to find consistency throughout the game. Williams' efforts were good, but ultimately not enough to stem the tide against Chattanooga's potent offense.
Christian Moore's 16 points and 8 rebounds were a respectable effort, but he was unable to contribute in other areas, failing to record an assist. Moore's 5-12 shooting from the field, including 3-9 from three-point range, was also a factor in his limited impact on the game. Logan Applegate's 9 points and 4 assists were a decent showing, but ultimately, it was not enough to offset the struggles of his teammates.
Collin Mulholland's performance was a notable departure from his season averages, as he more than doubled his scoring and rebounding contributions, while also exceeding his assists and blocks per game totals. This significant uptick in production suggests that Mulholland may have found an increased level of comfort on the court, allowing him to make more efficient use of his opportunities and capitalize on scoring chances, ultimately resulting in a breakout game.
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Final
In retrospect, the pre-game prediction of a 9.6-point Chattanooga victory proved to be remarkably accurate, with the Mocs ultimately prevailing by a 21-point margin. The final score, 93-72, was a testament to Chattanooga's dominance on the night. While the spread may have been a bit wider than anticipated, the underlying themes of the game's outcome were evident from the outset.
The decisive factors in Chattanooga's win were their uncanny ability to convert on offense and The Citadel's struggles on the glass. The Mocs' eFG% of 74.1% was a staggering 32.7 percentage points higher than their season average, indicating a night of near-perfect shooting. Conversely, The Citadel's OREB rate of 38.5% was an alarming 11.2 percentage points higher than their season average, suggesting a marked decline in defensive fundamentals. These two factors combined to create a perfect storm that ultimately led to Chattanooga's convincing victory.
The Mocs' win over The Citadel has little bearing on their NCAA Tournament prospects, as it was a Quad 4 matchup against a struggling opponent. Chattanooga's NET ranking and lack of wins against Quad 1 or 2 opponents will make it challenging for them to crack the field, and even if they do, a likely 13-seed or worse seeding is probable. For The Citadel, however, this loss cements their position as a long shot to make the tournament, and with their 9-20 record and 0-3 mark against Quad 2 opponents, a strong finish would be needed to even be considered for an automatic bid in a weaker conference. The Bulldogs' NET ranking and resume are among the worst in the country, making a tournament appearance an unlikely outcome.