UTC’s Cold Night Extinguishes Fire of Victory in Loss to UNC Greensboro
3
0
3
0
Chattanooga’s Scenic City shimmered under a wintry blanket, but inside McKenzie Arena, the usual heat of Mocs basketball was replaced by a chilling disappointment. Coming off a scorching win against VMI, the Mocs’ hopes for a repeat were dashed by the gritty defense and efficient offense of the UNC Greensboro Spartans, falling 70-54 on a night where the only flames flickered on the scoreboard.
Trey Bonham, Chattanooga’s sharpshooter, attempted to warm things up early, draining four of his first six three-pointers. However, the rest of the offense remained ice cold, shivering through a dismal 3-18 showing from beyond the arc in the first half. Meanwhile, the Langley brothers of UNC Greensboro, Kobe and Keyshaun, cooked up a storm, combining for 19 points, fueling a Spartan defense that held the Mocs to just 9 field goals in the first 20 minutes.
Trailing by only seven at the break, a flicker of hope sparked in the Mocs’ eyes. But the second half saw UNC Greensboro douse it with an 8-2 run, forcing Coach Dan Earl’s hand. Introducing Noah Melson and Rudy Fitzgibbons into the lineup, Chattanooga clawed their way back, momentarily narrowing the gap to 12.
However, Donovan Atwell, a human heatseeker from downtown, lit up the Spartans’ offense with four treys, pushing the lead back to a comfortable margin. Despite valiant efforts from Bonham, who finished with a team-high 25 points, and timely baskets from Jan Zidek and Sam Alexis, the Mocs’ shooting woes persisted, solidifying UNC Greensboro’s grip on the game.
By the final buzzer, the cold reality of a 30% field goal percentage and a 20% mark from three had sunk in. Honor Huff’s 10 points couldn’t melt the ice that encased the Mocs’ offense, while Keyshaun Langley’s 17 points and Kobe Langley’s 15 points and 11 assists highlighted the Spartans’ balanced attack.
The Mocs now face a critical crossroads at 10-7 and 2-2 in the SoCon. The loss, a bitter pill to swallow, serves as a stark reminder that consistency is key in the unforgiving furnace of conference play. If they can rekindle their offensive flame and weather the winter storm, the Scenic City might yet witness a championship spring for the Mocs.
