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Tennessee Holds Off Tennessee State Rally to Extend Home Streak to 47
By Piper Rampage
Photo: TN 66 / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Tennessee built a double-digit second-half lead and then weathered a late Tennessee State surge to earn an 83-78 victory at Food City Center (Thompson-Boling Arena) in Knoxville, Tennessee.
The No. 11 Volunteers improved to 3-0, extending their nonconference home winning streak to 47 games. Tennessee and Tennessee State each scored 41 points in the second half, but the Volunteers carried a five-point halftime advantage into the finish after leading 42-37 at the break.
Terrence Hill Jr. led Tennessee with 19 points, five rebounds and five assists, connecting on four of his eight attempts from three-point range. Jalen Haralson added 15 points, while Tyler Lundblade scored 14 without a miss at the free-throw line, going 9-for-9. Dai Dai Ames contributed 11 points.
Tennessee State’s Ty-Laur Johnson had the game’s highest individual scoring total, finishing with 22 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Jayden Jones added 13 points and nine rebounds for the Tigers.
The Volunteers created separation in the second half, stretching their lead to as many as 15 points. With 5:29 remaining, Tennessee held a 70-55 advantage and appeared positioned to close out the game comfortably.
Tennessee State refused to go quietly. The Tigers made seven consecutive field goals during their push, cutting the margin to 73-66 with 3:38 left. They continued to narrow the gap and were within five points with 32 seconds remaining.
Tennessee answered in the closing moments by sinking late free throws, protecting its lead and securing the five-point decision.
The defensive numbers offered another important measure of Tennessee’s effort. The Volunteers held Tennessee State to 32.1% shooting, limiting the Tigers despite their late scoring run. Tennessee State did hold an advantage on the boards, outrebounding Tennessee 45-43.
The result gave Tennessee another home victory and preserved its unbeaten start. The Volunteers had to withstand a determined finish from the Tigers, but their second-half cushion and late free throws proved enough to keep the 47-game nonconference home streak intact.
Piper Rampage
Men’s College Basketball, The Library Media
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