Ronrico White netted a career-high 21 points and Chattanooga topped High Point 68-61 Friday night in first-round action at the Dr. Pepper Classic.
White was 5-of-10 shooting and 9 of 11 from the foul line, while Z. Mason netted 15 points with nine rebounds for the Mocs (4-8).
John Brown again paced the High Point (4-7) offense with 23 points and 16 rebounds and is averaging 22.4 points and 10.8 boards over his past four games.
The Mocs entered with the 26th best rebound margin (plus-8.1) in the country, but Brown helped the Panthers win the battle on the glass 45-32.
Devante Wallace pulled High Point within 62-61 with a 3-pointer with 31 seconds left, but White hit 4 of 4 free throws and Mason 2 of 2 to close out the scoring.
Chattanooga is 37-6 all-time in its holiday tournament, including 22-1 in the opening round.
