CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Southern Conference trophy is ETSU’s for the second consecutive season, as the Bucs beat UT-Chattanooga 78-62 for the NCAA’s first automatic berth of Championship Week Saturday at North Charleston Coliseum.
The turning point was a 3-point field goal by Tim Smith with the shot clock winding down. Smith’s bucket stopped a Moccasin run that brought them within six points of ETSU.
“I just released it, and it felt good,” said Smith. “I had a feeling it was going in. That’s why I did the Michael Jordan backup.”
Smith’s 3-pointer started an 8-0 run that ended with a trey from Zakee Wadood. His basket drove the nail in UTC’s hopes at another SoCon title for the second straight season.
UTC coach Jeff Lebo said, “The best team won this conference, no doubt. I thought coming in if we played them 20 times that they would beat us 19 of them. We were hoping today was going to be one of those times.”
It looked like a bad omen for the Mocs (19-11) as their top scorer, Ashley Champion (18.7 ppg) went down with an injury just one minute into the game.
Using that momentum, ETSU (27-5) capitalized on some useful play off the bench from Travis Strong and Brad Nuckles.
Both hit their only 3-point field goals within a minute of each other in the first half securing a 43-35 halftime lead.
SMith helped make the case for comparison to Keith “Mister” Jennings look alike. Earning his second straight SoCon tournament MVP trophy, Smith, who is a sophomore, has now tied his predecessor who won in consecutive years in 90-91. His 25 point, six rebound effort Saturday was his third 24 plus showing in three days.
“I’m very proud of our guys and happy for them,” said Murry Bartow. “We have a great point guard in Tim Smith. They’re a fun team to watch and coach. They’re great people off the court.”
“We’ve done this all year. We’ve been down, then someone steps up and makes a key shot.”
It was team effort as four Bucs made the SoCon All Tournament team. Wadood, Fields and Smith were first team All Conference. Freshman Travis Strong was second team all conference.
“The first one was sweet, but the second one is sweeter,” Fields said about ETSU’s second SoCon title.
“I’m just so excited right now. I’m ready to go out and party.”
Wadood said, “It means a lot to have back to back titles. We had a lot of critics this year, and we knew we had to prove them wrong.”
Alphonso Pugh led Chattanooga with 20-points. UTC was held to 34 percent shooting having only two players score in double figures.
Brad Nuckles got in on the senior action topping Fields and ETSU’s blocks leader Wadood with four. Fields and Wadood combined for five.
“It feels great we were the hunted team, the team to beat,” said Wadood.
“No one could beat us so that makes it even better. This championship is not only a reflection of this team but of Johnson City as a whole.”
Chattanooga was trying for their third comeback in as many days.
They had beaten hometown favorite College of Charleston in the quarterfinals, and the next night, made a run from nineteen back to beat Georgia Southern.
This was the third time this season that ETSU had beat UTC.
In their first game, the Bucs came back from a massive gap to beat the Mocs at the Round House for their first win there in twelve years.
On senior night at Johnson City, the Bucs easily won over Chattanooga.
A crowd of 3,679, mostly ETSU fans, cheered as ETSU cut down the net and thanked fans for their support after the game.
The Bucs now wait for selection show Sunday to see who they face in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Author