KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Four Vols scored in double figures as No. 18 Tennessee pulled away from LSU Wednesday night at Thompson-Boling Arena for its largest SEC margin of victory of the season, 84-61.
James Daniel III (17 points), Grant Williams (16), Jordan Bone (12), and Lamonte Turner (12) led the Vols to their fourth-straight SEC win and their seventh victory in the last eight games to match last season’s win total of 16.
Daniel’s 17 points tied for his most as a Vol, while Bone’s 12 points were his most in seven games. Turner continued his hot streak, scoring in double digits for the third time in the past four games.
Tennessee (16-5, 6-3 SEC) pushed its lead to 13 points early in the second half, but a quick LSU run cut the Vols’ lead to six at 53-47.
But from there, Tennessee started on a 12-2 spurt to extend its lead to 16 and to pull away. The Tigers (12-9, 3-6 SEC) never got closer than 12 points for the rest of the game.
Duop Reath paced the Tigers with 21 points. Tremont Waters, who entered the game averaging 15.2 points per game, finished with just seven.
The game marked the sixth in a row in which the Vols held their opponent to fewer than 65 points.
Tennessee took a 42-31 lead into halftime behind 10 points from Williams, who reached double digits in the opening frame despite playing only nine minutes.
Reath kept LSU within striking distance with 11 first-half points.
The Vols shot 51 percent in the first half, and their 42 first-half points were their most in the opening period since scoring 46 against Mercer on Nov. 29.
UP NEXT: The Vols remain at home for a game against Ole Miss Saturday that tips at 6 p.m. ET and will air on SEC Network. Tennessee then prepares for one of its toughest stretches of the season, with roads games against Kentucky (Feb. 6) and Alabama (Feb. 10) next week.
HIGH-SCORING FIRST HALVES: For the sixth time this season, the Vols eclipsed the 40-point margin during the first half of a game with their 42 points against the Tigers. It was the first time UT has accomplished the feat since the matchup against Mercer (Nov. 29).
ALEXANDER PROTECTING THE PAINT: After his three-block performance Wednesday night, forward Kyle Alexander has recorded multiple blocks in five of the last six games. Alexander, who entered the contest as the SEC’s eighth-leading rim protector on the season (1.8 bpg), has led the Volunteers in blocks 15 times this season and has recorded multiple rejections in 11 games.
DEFENSE WINS BALL GAMES: Tennessee, ranked 11th in in the country in defensive efficiency according to KenPom.com, has held its opponents to fewer than 65 points in each of the last six games.
-UT Athletics
