Not So Divine Twist for Chattanooga

We know now they prefer to be called “Mocs” instead of Moccasins and just plain ol’ Chattanooga.

But dreams of further inquiries into this tournament’s longshot story ended when Providence defeated Tennessee Chattanooga, 71-65, in Friday’s late Southeast Regional semifinal game at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The No. 10-seeded Friars (24-11) play No. 4 Arizona in the regional final Sunday.

This tournament was better having known the “Mocs,” who made their first-ever Sweet 16 appearance after knocking off No. 3 Georgia and No. 6 Illinois as the No. 14-seeded team.

“It’s really hard, even with the loss, to feel negative,” said Mocs’ Coach Mack McCarthy, whose team finished 24-11. “I couldn’t be happier or more proud of them for what they’ve been able to do for Chattanooga.”

But while the Mocs made a game of it, tying the score at 51-51 with 7:50 left, they had no answer for Providence’s sophomore guard God Shammgod, who took over the game down the stretch.

Shammgod finished with 15 points and seven assists and broke down the Chattanooga defense at will when it counted.

Asked if he had ever seen a quicker point guard, McCarthy said, “Not in person.”

Shammgod was able to create open shots for teammates, particularly forward Jamel Thomas, who made three consecutive three-point shots in a 15-2 Providence run in the closing minutes. Thomas’ last three-pointer with 2:20 left extended the Providence lead to 64-53. Ruben Garces’ basket with 1:45 remaining pushed the lead to 13 and ended any Chattanooga comeback thoughts.

Four Providence players scored in double figures, led by forward Austin Croshere’s 19. Garces and Thomas had 12 points each.

Chattanooga didn’t help itself by shooting 37.8%, missing several easy shots inside that might have made it a closer finish.

Guard Willie Young made only three of his 12 shots and did not fare well defensively against Shammgod. “I knew he was a great point guard already,” Young said. “He proved to me how really great he was, face-to-face.”

Johnny Taylor led the Mocs with 22 points, making 10 of 21 shots, while Chris Mims had 15.