The Tennessee men’s basketball team opened the calendar year at Thompson-Boling Arena Saturday night.
The Volunteers played its first Southeastern Conference home game of the season and came up on the short end of a 71-63 decision against Alabama.
The Vols had its share of struggles against Alabama (7-3, 2-0 SEC) as they shot 31.8 percent from the floor and knocked down four shots from beyond the 3-point arc.
It was Tennessee’s first loss of the season.
The Vols (8-1. 1-1 SEC) trailed 31-29 at halftime and Alabama led by as many as 14 points when they opened a 50-36 lead early in the second half.
Victor Bailey Jr. led the Big Orange with 16 points. Santiago Vescovi and Keon Johnson finished with 13 points.
Alabama’s John Petty led all scorers with 19 points.
The Crimson Tide had four players score in double figures. Joshua Primo and Herb Jones had 11 points each, while Jahvon Quinerly contributed 10.