NICEVILLE, FLA. – Junior center Justin Tuoyo scored 14 points, including eight in the first half, as Chattanooga overcame cold shooting to post a 62-52 victory past Jacksonville State in the consolation round of the Emerald Coast Classic Saturday at Raiders Arena on the campus of Northwest Florida State College.
The Mocs hit just 34.8 percent from the floor in the first half but managed to own a 30-21 lead.
Chattanooga, ranked No. 8 in this week’s CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25, improved to 5-1.
Junior guard Erik Durham led Jacksonville State with 17 points, hitting four three-point baskets. Freshman forward Christian Cunningham added 16 points and 12 rebounds along with three blocked shots for his first career double-double.
The Gamecocks slipped to 3-6 entering a Dec. 1 home game with Samford.
A layup by Chuck Ester gave Chattanooga its biggest lead of the game at 45-31 with 12:16 left. Senior Casey Jones added 11 points and a team-high six rebounds.
Guards Greg Pryor and Eric Robertson chipped in with 10 points apiece for the Mocs who outrebounded Jacksonville State, 33-28.
