COLUMBIA — Tennessee returned to action Saturday night following a 82-61 win against Arkansas Tuesday night at Thompson-Boling Arena.
The Vols traveled to Columbia, S.C. to take on the Gamecocks.
The contest was close from start to finish, and South Carolina led the Vols, 30-29, at halftime.
John Fulkerson had a career night with 25 points. Fulkerson had a crucial steal in the contest with 59 seconds remaining as the Vols were up 60-59.
Following Fulkerson’s steal, Santiago Vescovi turned the ball over for the Vols with 24 seconds remaining. The Vols then fouled and South Carolina’s Maik Kotsar connected on two free throws, putting the Gamecocks up 61-60.
With 10.4 seconds remaining, Tennessee gave the ball back to South Carolina. Kotsar made two more free throws, giving his team a 63-60 lead.
With 3.7 seconds, Josiah-Jordan James was fouled and made one free throw before missing his second and the Vols fell to South Carolina, 63-61.
Tennessee returns to action Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. ET against Vanderbilt at Thompson-Boling Arena. The contest will be televised by the SEC Network.