Nov. 22, 2002

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Chattanooga's Ray Trowell made two free throws with 4.6 seconds remaining and Josh Hare's last second shot rolled of the rim as the Mocs defeated Samford University 68-66 in the opening game for both teams on Friday night in Seibert Hall.

Hare made a lay-up with 29 seconds remaining to tie the score at 66-66 after Samford battled back from a 12-point deficit with 10:07 to play. Chattanooga spread the floor to allow Trowell to create and take the final shot. He drove into the lane and was fouled going up for the shot. With a crowd of 2,880 yelling and screaming, Trowell made both free throws. Trowell finished with 10 points making 8-9 from the foul line. Ashley Champion was a perfect 12-12 from the floor and 5-8 from the free throw line to lead all scorers with 30 points as UTC improves to 1-0 on the season.

Tyson Dorsey came out of the locker room on fire in the first half as Samford (0-1) jumped out to a 14-4 lead in the first five minutes. Dorsey made Samford's first three baskets, all from three-point range. He finished the night 9-14 from the floor and 7-12 from three-point range for a career-high 27 points. His seven 3-pointers tied the number he made against Troy State on January 13, 2001. Phillip Ramelli scored 13 points for the Bulldogs on 5-6 shooting and grabbed team-high five rebounds.

In the first half, Samford shot 55 percent from the floor and made eight 3-pointers. The Bulldogs led by as many as 18 points with 7:04 remaining in the first half. The Bulldogs took a 42-30 lead into halftime.

After the intermission, Chattanooga used a full court press and took advantage of cold Samford shooting to go on a 28-4 run and completely turn the game around. Chattanooga took its first lead at the 16:10 mark 43-42 and extended the lead to 58-46 with 10:07 remaining. Ramelli finally ended the drought with a pair of free throws to make it a 10-point game. Eddie Harper made a pair of three's and Dorsey added his seventh three to bring the 'Dogs to within five points at 64-59 with 2:16 to play. Samford pulled to within two points when Dorsey made a steal and a lay-up with 1:12 to play. Hare's lay-up tied the game, but Trowell broke the Bulldogs heart with his free throws with four seconds to play.

Samford shot just 36 percent in the second half to finish the game at 46 percent from the floor. UTC shot 50 percent after intermission and finished at 49 percent for the game. The Bulldogs were called for 20 fouls while Chattanooga was whistled for just 10. The Mocs went 18-26 from the free throw line while the 'Dogs only went to the line seven times making five. UTC had a big advantage on the glass out rebounding Samford 38-22 and taking a 14-4 advantage in second chance points.

The Bulldogs will have to put the loss behind them quickly. Samford faces Arkansas State on Monday at 7 p.m. in Seibert Hall.