Parks, Balogun help The Citadel reach SoCon Tournament

Feb 27, 2017, 09:54 pm

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Preston Parks and Ezekiel Balogun combined for 40 points as The Citadel upset Chattanooga 85-76 on Monday night, earning a spot in the Southern Conference Tournament.

Parks scored 22 points and was 4 of 10 from 3-point range, while Balogun scored 18 on a 6-for-9 shooting night with nine rebounds.

Balogun broke a 63-all tie with a layup and Parks followed with a 3-pointer to spark a 16-5 run late in the second half to put the game away.

Zane Najdawi added 13 points, Warren Sledge 12 and Tyler Burgess was 3 for 3, all treys, to add nine points.

The Citadel (11-20, 4-14) will face eighth-seeded Western Kentucky on Friday.

Justin Tuoyo scored 24 to lead Chattanooga, which has lost four straight. Chattanooga remains the No. 4 seed and will face fifth-seeded Wofford Saturday.

The Mocs were whistled for 23 fouls, and The Citadel converted 25 of 36 free throws. Sledge was 8-for-9 at the line.