CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Citadel shot 62.5-percent from the floor in the second half to run past Chattanooga, 76-68, in the Southern Conference opener for both teams Thursday evening inside McAlister Field House.
 
Game Information
Score: The Citadel 76, Chattanooga 68
Records: Chattanooga (8-6, 0-1), The Citadel (6-7, 1-0)
Location: McAlister Field House (Charleston, South Carolina)
Series: Chattanooga leads 71-20
 
How it Happened

• The first half was about as evenly played as any half of basketball. Both teams shot just over 30-percent and the game stayed with seven points in the entire 20 minutes.
• The Mocs did open a seven-point lead with 5:26 left in the half before the Bulldogs went on a 14-2 run to take a five-point lead. UTC would score the final five points of the half to send the teams into the locker room tied, 26-26.
• Things got exciting just over five minutes into the second half as Austin Ash hit a three-pointer that sparked a 13-3 run to give the Bulldogs an 11-point advantage.
• The lead would remain at 11 until UTC came out of the under-8 media timeout and hit three-straight three-pointers to pull within two.
• AJ Smith put an end to the run with a strong layup and foul, and Elijah Morgan hit a pair of free throws to push the lead back to seven with just under five minutes remaining.
• The Mocs tried to make a run, but Ash came calling again with a dagger three-pointer with just under a minute to play.
• The Citadel went 7-of-8 from the free-throw line in the final minute to secure the victory.

 
Inside the Box Score

• The contest marked the second time in the last three seasons the Bulldogs opened conference play with a victory over Chattanooga. The Citadel defeated the Mocs, 92-87, to open SoCon play on Jan. 9, 2021.
• The Citadel went 15-of-24 from the field, including 7-of-9 from beyond the arc in the second half.
• On the flip side, the Bulldogs held the Mocs to just 13-of-33 in the game's final 20 minutes.
• The Bulldogs finished the game 19-of-22 from the free-throw line, including 13-of-14 in the second half.
• Austin Ash led the offense with 16 points on 4-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc. He was also 4-for-4 from the foul line.
• AJ Smith was a perfect 6-for-6 from the field, finishing with 13 points.
• Stephen Clark notched a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. He added four assists and four blocked shots.
• Madison Durr was the fourth Bulldog in double figures with 11 points, to go along with five rebounds and three assists.
• Jackson Price hit a three-pointer to start the scoring in both halves. He finished with nine points.
• The Citadel won the battle of the boards, 38-34.

 
Up Next
The Citadel welcomes Samford to McAlister Field House on New Year's Eve. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. on ESPN+.