No. 9 Tennessee (12-2, 2-0 SEC) defeated Mississippi State (11-3, 0-2 SEC), 87-53, Tuesday at Thompson-Boling Arena.
The Volunteers started fast, opening a 16-0 lead, and never trailed in the contest.
Tennessee had five players total 10-plus points against the Bulldogs.
Santiago Vescovi led the Vols with 14 points, all in the first half, as Tennessee opened a 46-22 advantage by halftime.
Julian Phillips and Zakai Zeigler totaled 11 points each. Phillips had seven rebounds, while Zeigler finished the game with a double-double as he had 10 assists.
Uros Palavsic and Olivier Nkamhoua scored 10 points apiece.
Josiah-Jordan James, who has not played since Dec. 7 due to injury, returned to the Vols’ lineup. He played 17 minutes and totaled eight points and four rebounds.
Mississippi State’s Tyler Stevenson led all scorers with 15 points.
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