Friday, February 15, 2008

From the Post & Courier: C of C weathers the run and gun of Chattanooga


More isn't always better, and Chattanooga proved it Thursday night against the College of Charleston. (Photo of Antwaine Wiggins laughing at Kevin Bridgewater selling the foul courtesy of Alan Hawes/Post & Courier)

Chattanooga took 82 shots — but missed 54 of them — and the Cougars escaped with a 79-73 Southern Conference victory at John Kresse Arena.

"I've never played a team that shot 82 times," said Charleston junior forward Jermaine Johnson. "That's a lot of shots. That just lets you know that they're a run and gun team, and it also lets you know that we played some defense."

Charleston (12-13, 7-8 SoCon) held the Mocs (15-11, 10-6 SoCon) to 34.1 percent shooting from the field, but still had to battle to get the victory.

The Cougars made 11 of 14 free throws in the final three minutes.

"Things got a little hairy there at the end," said Cougars coach Bobby Cremins. "We had to make some clutch free throws. We're a young team, and you never know what's going to happen, but it was a gutty performance and a great win."

The Cougars lost 86-70 at Chattanooga on Dec. 18 after hurling up a school- record 39 3-pointers, making 10.

Charleston took a more balanced approach Thursday night, making 24 of 54 shots from the field, including 10 of 26 from 3-point range.

Guard Andrew Goudelock scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half. Backcourt mate Tony White Jr. also finished with 17 points and was 8-of-8 from the free throw line.

Jermaine Johnson finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

"I kind of refocused at halftime," said Goudelock. "I got some good open looks, and fortunately, I made them."

Despite poor shooting, Chattanooga kept things close by forcing 20 turnovers and getting to the offensive boards 19 times.

"They're probably the best rebounding team in our conference," Johnson said.

"They really get to the glass. We just came out and did what we had to do."

Charleston led by as many as 14 points in the second half, but saw the lead dwindle to three with 1:22 to play.

But the Cougars clamped down defensively from there and put the game away at the free throw line.

"I had no idea they took 82 shots," Goudelock said. "Good thing they were missing them. Usually the team that takes the most shots wins."

Charleston led 35-30 at the half after outshooting the Mocs 46.4 percent to 33.3 percent.

The Cougars waxed hot and cold in the first half, and helped keep it close with 12 turnovers.

Charleston started the game on a 9-0 run, only to be outscored 15-2 over a four-minute span.

The Cougars managed to regain the lead and push the margin back to nine with 1:36 to play, but the Mocs scored the last two baskets of the half to close the gap to five.

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