SoCon Men’s Basketball Recaps for December 18, 2007
CHATTANOOGA 58, ELON 45
CHATTANOOGA, TENN. - Junior forward Nicchaeus Doaks (Trenton, Tenn.) and junior forward Khalil Hartwell (Philadelphia, Pa.) combined for 24 points and 17 rebounds as Chattanooga (6-4, 3-0) defeated Elon (5-5, 3-1) 58-45 Tuesday evening in a Southern Conference men’s basketball game at The McKenzie Arena. The win gives Chattanooga sole possession of first place in the North Division of the Southern Conference.
Trailing 32-31 with 15:21 remaining in the game, Chattanooga posted a dominating 16-5 run over the next 7:29 to take a 48-37 lead with 7:52 to play. Elon would not go quietly as junior forward Ola Atoyebi converted back-to-back layins followed by a jumper by junior guard Brett James to pull the Phoenix to within 48-43 at the 6:18 mark.
That would be as close as they would get, however, as the Mocs went on a 9-0 run fueled by five points from senior guard Kevin Bridgewaters (Columbia, Ky.) to extend their lead to 57-43 and put the game out of reach with 3:18 to go. During that stretch, Chattanooga held Elon scoreless for a total of four minutes before Atoyebi ended the drought with 2:17 to play. A Hartwell free throw then provided the final margin of victory for the Mocs as they closed out the 58-45 victory.
Trailing 4-3 early in the first half, Chattanooga took the lead, 21-10, with a decisive 18-6 run keyed by nine points from Doaks, including three consecutive baskets at one point, before extending to a 25-12 advantage with 5:43 remaining in the half. An 11-3 run by the Phoenix just before the half, capped off with back-to-back three-pointers and a foul shot, put Elon right back in the game as they drew to within 28-23 at the break.
The Phoenix continued their streak into the second half as they pulled to within 28-26 off of a quick three-pointer and eventually tied the game at 30-30 with 16:06 to play in the game. Following a free throw by junior forward Kevin Goffney (Ethel, La.) to give the Mocs a one-point lead, Elon freshman guard Chris Long knocked in a jumper to put the Phoenix ahead 32-31 at the 15:21 mark for their first lead since 2-0 early on. It would be a short lived lead as Chattanooga would then take control of the game with their 16-5 run.
Leading the way for Elon was Ola Ayotebi with a game-high 18 points on 9-of-14 shooting and a team-high tying five rebounds. Senior guard Montell Watson was the only other member of the Phoenix to reach double-digits, finishing with 10 points on the night. James added eight points and five rebounds.
For Chattanooga, Khalil Hartwell finished with 12 points and a game-high nine rebounds, five off the offensive glass, and Nicchaeus Doaks posted 12 points and eight boards. Bridgewaters posted a solid all-around performance with eight points, four rebounds and a team-high four assists.
FLORIDA STATE 66, COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON 61
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. (AP) - Uche Echefu scored 17 points and pulled down nine rebounds as Florida State came from behind for a 66-61 win over College of Charleston on Tuesday.
College of Charleston had the ball and a one point lead with 51 seconds left in the game, but Seminole point guard Toney Douglas stole an inbound pass and his ensuing lay-up gave the Seminoles a 62-61 advantage.
Echefu came up with a loose ball as the Cougars tried to bring the ball back into play, and was fouled. He made both free throws to give the Seminoles a 64-61 lead with 46 seconds to play.
Florida State forward Jason Rich deflected Tony White Jr.'s shot attempt, and Ralph Mims sealed the win with two free throws for Florida State.
Echefu was 8-of-10 from the free throw line. Mims added 15 points, and Rich and Douglas both finished with 13 for the Seminoles (10-3).
College of Charleston (4-5) led by as many as 12 points in the second half, but the Seminoles slowly chipped away at the lead. White finished with a team high 17 points and Marcus Hammond added 12.
Jermaine Johnson scored 10 points and pulled down 15 rebounds. The Seminoles had 10 first half turnovers and trailed 37-30 at halftime.