Georgia Southern trips Chattanooga 62-55 in SoCon

Mar 8, 2015, 10:58 pm

ASHVILLE, N.C. -- Trey Bussey scored 17 points and seventh-seeded Georgia Southern pulled away down the stretch to upset second-seeded Chattanooga 62-55 in the Southern Conference quarterfinals on Saturday.

Brian Holmes made seven-straight free throws in the in the final 35 seconds to seal the upset for the Eagles (15-18), who also won the only regular-season meeting by 16 on the road. Holmes finished with 10 points, all from the foul line.

Z. Mason led the Mocs (18-14) with 21 points.

Georgia Southern, which trailed 27-24 at the half, put together an 8-0 surge, the first six from Marvin Baynham, to lead 51-46 with 2:56 to play. After a Chattanooga free throw, Bussey knocked down jumpers on consecutive possessions for a 55-47 lead with 55 seconds left. Mason had five quick points but Holmes always responded from the foul line.

Georgia Southern will play third-seeded Wofford (18-12) in the semifinals on Sunday.