Mocs Lose to Memphis in Puerto Rico Classic

The Chattanooga Mocs, who started their basketball season with a 114-75 loss at 14th ranked Tennessee, and a 103-75 loss at Missouri, are spending a few days in San Juan, playing three games in the Puerto Rico tipoff classic.

The Mocs opponent Thursday, the 13th ranked Memphis Tigers... last year's runner-up in the NCAA tournament.

The Mocs fell into an early 5-0 hole, but rallied to take an 11-9 lead on a Ty Patterson 3-pointer.

Stephan McDowell nailed 4 first-half three-pointers for the Mocs, who stretched the lead to five points before Shawn Taggert triggerred an 8-0 Memphis run which put the Tigers up by three.

The Mocs pulled even at 29 before Memphis closed the first half on an 18-6 run to lead 47-35 at the break. Doneal Mack nailed 4 treys... he had 14 first half points for Memphis.

The Tigers looked like that national runner-up team early in the second half and the Mocs wilted under the Tigers pressure. With Robert Dozier asserting himself, the 12 point halftime deficit went to 19 four minutes into the second half.

The Mocs rallied late to make the final difference a respectable 12 points.

Mack scored 19 points, Dozier had 18, Taggart 16 to lead the Tigers.

McDowell led all scorers with 27 points, hitting 7 three-pointers. Nicchaeus Doaks scored 15 points and pulled down a tournament record 16 rebounds.

Memphis wins, 83-71.

The Mocs, now 0-3, will play again tomorrow at 5:00, taking on 19th ranked Southern Cal, who lost to Seton Hall tonight, 63-61.