UT Martin beats Chattanooga with 75-foot buzzer-beater

Dec. 19 (UPI) -- UT Martin defeated Chattanooga with the help of a 75-foot buzzer-beater from junior guard Preston Parks.

The heave came in the final seconds of the Skyhawks' 75-72 victory against the Mocs on Tuesday at the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center in Martin, Tenn.

Chattanooga trailed 72-69 with six seconds remaining when redshirt-junior guard Jerry Johnson, Jr. caught a pass and launched a 3-pointer to tie the game.

But there was still time left on the clock for the Skyhawks. Parks caught the ensuing inbound pass at the free-throw line before taking a few steps. He crossed the 3-point line before tossing a two-handed heave toward the basket. The shot bounced off of the backboard and went through the net as the buzzer sounded.

"It's funny because everyday in practice I shoot those shots," Parks told reporters. "In between drills and in between water breaks and coaches hate it. They hate when I do it. So it's kinda funny that I hit one in a game. I gave it a chance, threw it up and it went in."

Parks had seven points and eight rebounds in the win. He was 1-for-3 from 3-point range. Quintin Dove led the Skyhawks with 16 points. Donovann Toatley led the Mocs with a game-high 19 points.

The Skyhawks battle Fresno State at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif.