CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Lander men's basketball team dropped a 99-63 decision at NCAA Division I Chattanooga on Wednesday afternoon in the Bearcats' lone pre-season exhibition contest of the 2020-21 season.

After leading 50-31 at the half, the host Mocs shot 48.8 percent (21-of-43) in the second period to pull away for the win. Lander will have a week off before tipping off its 2020-21 regular season by visiting Augusta on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 6:00 p.m.

Jermaine Patterson led the Bearcats with 18 points and pulled down seven rebounds, while Zane Rankin went 4-for-4 from beyond the arc and finished with 14 points. Jared Sherfield chipped in  10 points and five rebounds. LaRaymond Spivery dished four assists to lead the Bearcats

Chattanooga opened an early 10-0 lead before Lander rallied within 19-12 with 12:07 left in the first half following a pair of free throws by Sherfield. However, the Mocs ripped off a 12-2 run over the next 4:43 and built a 19-point lead at the intermission. Chattanooga began the second half by scoring 12 of the first 14 points to extend its lead to 62-34 with 16:53 to play.

David Jean-Baptiste led all scorers with 19 points and Malachi Smith notched a double-double for the Mocs, finishing with 18 points and 10 rebounds. 

#cLawsUp | @LanderMBB