CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) — Z. Mason scored 15 points and pulled down 15 rebounds to lead Chattanooga to an 86-80 victory over Maine in the championship game of the Dr. Pepper Classic Monday evening.
Mason scored seven of his points in the final 2:24 to seal the win.
Casey Jones and Ronrico White had 20 points each and Gee McGhee contributed 17 for Chattanooga (6-8).
Maine (2-10) held a 43-39 advantage at the half. That quickly changed in the second period as McGhee made six straight points. Jones added eight more and the Mocs were suddenly ahead 53-45.
The Black Bears came back to retake the lead 69-68 at the 6:24 mark but White hit two 3-pointers in a row to give the Mocs a 74-69 advantage. The Bears closed to 74-73 following a Dimitry Coronel layup, but could get no closer.
Coronel led Maine with 24 points.