Mocs 63, Mountaineers 44

Now that was defense.

In the second half, the Mocs stepped up and played defense the way it is supposed to be played. They held the Mountaineers to just four made field goals in the half and stretched a five point lead out to a nineteen point win.

It was Senior Night, and with just one senior on the roster, the night was dedicated to him. It was his night. Z Mason played like it. He scored 24 points and collected thirteen rebounds and had six blocks for the game. It was a wonderful night for Mason and a great night to remember all the moments he has provided us over the last three years.

Rico White knocked down a couple of huge first half threes. Gee McGhee played pretty well, and Casey Jones did a lot of the little things, coming up with ten rebounds. This team seems to be playing much more like they did in January than like they did for most February. Everyone has seemed to play their roles and play them well for the last two games. If the Mocs can put together six halves like they did against Appalachian State, they will be right in the championship game all the way until the very end.

The rebounding was thoroughly impressive. They rebounded so well. When the Mocs rebound like that and play defense like that, they are going to be tough for anybody to beat in Asheville.

The energy that the Mocs have brought in the last three games (including the loss to UNCG) creates a real sense of hope for these Mocs. There is not a lot of margin for error with this team. We all know that at this point. But when they play well, they can beat anybody in the SoCon. When they play poorly, they can lose to any team in the SoCon. How things go, beginning next Saturday at 6:00 against either Georgia Southern or Furman, will depend on how they are playing?

Now onto some reflections on Z Mason. I'm truly going to miss him. From the first time he stepped onto the floor as a sophomore, I was thoroughly impressed with the energy he brought to the basketball game. I have loved watching him play and will genuinely miss him next year. I hope that he succeeds at whatever he does next. I would love it if he got a chance in the NBA, and he could, I suppose. I wish him nothing but the best.

GO MOCS!