Vols basketball skin Mocs to extend winning streak

Vols basketball skin Mocs to extend winning streak.

KNOXVILLE — The Tennessee Volunteers men’s basketball team continues to roll along, handling the Chattanooga Mocs at home, 58-46.

The two teams traded leads during the opening three minutes of the game, after which the Vols never trailed again. Tennessee’s largest lead of 16 came at the 5:35 mark of the second half, and UT coasted from there to finish with the final margin.

Lamonte Turner paced the Volunteers with 16 points and 12 assists, as well as three rebounds and a steal. John Fulkerson chipped in 14 points and four rebounds of his own, while Jordan Bowden scored 13 points and kept the window clean with 12 boards. Josiah-Jordan James also grabbed 11 boards to go along with 4 points to round out the Vols in double-digits.

Tennessee shot a lethargic 37 percent from the field, including 28 percent from behind the arc on 18 attempts. Their 10 turnovers was a modest sum, while the Vols’ seven blocks and 43 total rebounds show that they dominated the paint. It was not UT’s best performance, but it was good enough tonight against a lesser opponent.

The victory extends the Volunteers’ Division I-leading home-court winning streak at Thompson-Boling Arena, now sitting at 30 straight games. Much less, the Vols also extended their season-opening winning streak to five games.

The Vols next play on Friday, November 29, against the Florida State Seminoles. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET and can be watched on the CBS Sports Network.

 

Vols rally for win against Racers

Vols rally for win against Racers.

KNOXVILLE — The Murray State Racers came into Knoxville to play, and it took a second half rally for the Tennessee Volunteers to emerge with a 82-63 victory.

The win extends the nation’s longest current home winning streak to 28 games in a row at Thompson–Boling Arena.

Murray State kept the Vols in check for a good portion of the game, taking their first lead at the 16:05 mark of the first frame and holding it until midway through the second half. After a bit of back-and-forth, the lead was finally relinquished and Tennessee rode the rest of the way to victory. They held the Racers scoreless for the final seven-and-a-half minutes to seal the deal.

The Volunteers were led by Jordan Bowden’s 26 points, along with a couple of rebounds and an assist. Yves Pons was the only other player in double figures for the Vols, adding 19 points along with four rebounds and just as many blocked shots. Lamonte Turner dished out 14 assists in the winning effort.

Tennessee shot 50 percent from the floor, including an eye-popping 55 percent from behind the arc. They only coughed up the ball eight times, compared to 12 for Murray State. Their 68 percent mark from the charity stripe still leaves something to be desired, but a win is a win.

The Volunteers next face the No. 20-ranked Washington Huskies on Saturday, November 16, in Toronto, Ont. for the James Naismith Classic. Gametime is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET.