No. 2 seed Tennessee (24-7) opened Southeastern Conference Tournament play with a victory Friday.
The Vols defeated No. 10 seed Mississippi State (18-5), 72-59, in the quarterfinals at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.
Tennessee had four players post double figures in the scoring column against the Bulldogs.
Josiah-Jordan James scored 14 of his game-high 16 points after halftime. The Vols led 39-37 at halftime.
James also had five rebounds and four assists in the contest.
Zakai Zeigler and Kennedy Chandler each scored 11 points for Tennessee. Zeigler, who came off the bench, had eight assists. Chandler recorded six assists for the Vols.
Santiago Vescovi and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield scored 10 points each for Tennessee.
Shakeel Moore led Mississippi State with 15 points and Tolu Smith added 14.
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