CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) — Z. Mason scored 14 of his 16 points in the first half as Chattanooga opened a big early lead and coasted to an 88-53 victory over Tennessee Temple on Monday night.
The Mocs, coming off an 11-21 season, scored 12 of the first 13 points in their opener against the Crusaders (2-2), an NAIA Division II squad, and went on to a 46-27 lead at the break.
Chattanooga shot 41.4 percent, barely more than Tennessee Temple’s 40 percent, but its 49-28 rebounding advantage and 35-18 edge in turnovers helped the Mocs get 70 shots, making 29, while the Crusaders made 18 of 45.
Drazen Zlovaric added 11 points and eight rebounds for Chattanooga, which got at least four points from 11 players. Farad Cobb had six of the Mocs’ 23 steals.
Mack Hampton scored 12 points and Weedlens Beauvil 11 for Tennessee Temple, which is 0-9 against Chattanooga
