By ADAM ZAGORIA
Chattanooga senior guard David Jean-Baptiste dribbled up court and made an improbable game-winning 3-pointer against two defenders to give the Mocs a 64-63 overtime win over Furman in the Southern Conference championship game and send them to the NCAA Tournament.
Furman went ahead 63-61 on a driving layup by Mike Bothwell (24 points) before Jean-Baptiste (13 points) took the ensuing inbounds pass, dribbled up court, crossed the timline and put up a desperation three near the logo with under a second left that swished through the net.
Chattanooga’s win means Kansas transfer Silvio de Sousa (17 points, 14 rebounds) will compete in the NCAA Tournament after he was ensnared in the FBI investigation into bribery in college basketball.
The Mocs last appeared in the NCAA Tournament in 2016. They won the 1977 NCAA Men’s Division II Basketball Tournament, while completing their transition from D-2 to D-1. During the 1997 NCAA Tournament they beat Georgia and Illinois en route to the Sweet 16.
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