Highlights/Postgame/Stats/Story: Defense Shines as #13 Vols Take Down UNC Greensboro, 76-36

KNOXVILLE – Tennessee’s defense was superb, leading the 13th-ranked Volunteers past UNC Greensboro, 76-36, Saturday afternoon at Thompson-Boling Arena.

It was the fewest points the Vols have allowed in Thompson-Boling Arena history (opened in 1987) and fewest overall since the 1983 season-opener, when Tennessee held Ohio Northern to 33 points.

The Vols (7-2), forced 25 turnovers, tied a season-high with 13 steals and held the Spartans to 14-for-38 (.368) shooting—the fewest field goals made and attempted by an opponent all season.

Vols G-F Josiah-Jordan James / Credit: UT Athletics

Josiah-Jordan James shot a career-high 4-of-7 (.571) on 3-pointers and tied with Brandon Huntley-Hatfield for the team lead in points, with 12. Santiago Vescovi was the third Vol to score in double-figures, with 10 points. Vescovi also tied career-highs in both assists (8) and steals (4).

The Big Orange offense got in rhythm early and never looked back, draining 3-for-4 from beyond the arc to start the game. Leading 15-11 midway through the opening period, the Vols separated themselves from UNCG with a 13-0 run that lasted 4:04. UT was 5-of-7 from the floor during that span, with five different Vols logging a bucket.

Tennessee’s strong four-game span of defense continued Satuday in the friendly confines of Thompson-Boling Arena. The Vols held the Spartans to 7-of-21 (.333) shooting from the field and 1-of-9 (.111) on 3-pointers during the first half. John Fulkerson was stingy around the rim, swatting away three UNCG shots. Vescovi was also strong on the defensive end, snagging three steals in the half.

The second half was all UT. The Big Orange shot 16-of-32 (.500) and opened up a 19-0 run lasting from 12:32 to 4:39. UNCG attempted only 17 field goals and UT forced the Spartans to turn the ball over 12 times.

Spartans guard De’Monte Buckingham was the only UNCG player to score in double figures, finishing with 10 points.

UP NEXT: Tennessee is back in Thompson-Boling Arena Tuesday night for a battle with USC Upstate. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on SEC Network+ and tickets are available on AllVols.com.

LOCKDOWN FIRST-HALF DEFENSE: Over the past four games, Tennessee is allowing just 22.3 points in the first half. The Vols held UNC Greensboro to 15 points on 7-for-21 shooting during Saturday’s opening period—the fewest first-half points by any Tennessee opponent this season.

BOUNCE-BACK SHOOTING: After shooting just 6-for-39 from 3-point range in Tuesday’s overtime loss to Texas Tech in New York City, Tennessee surpassed that made 3-point total by the 2:24 mark of the first half Saturday. The Vols shot 13-for-35 (.371) from behind the arc in Saturday’s win.

VOLS CREATING MORE TAKEAWAYS: With a season-high-tying 13 steals on Saturday, Tennessee recorded its fifth game of 10 or more steals this season—matching the season-long total of games with 10+ steals from the entire 2020-21 season. The Vols forced turnovers on 40.8 percent of UNCG possessions. That’s a UNCG program low since that stat has been tracked (2001-02), and the third-highest turnover percentage ever forced by Tennessee over that same span.

HISTORIC D: Tennessee held UNC Greensboro to 0.587 points per possession, the Spartans’ second-lowest offensive efficiency in the last 21 seasons. This is also Tennessee’s fourth-lowest defensive efficiency over that same time span.

-UT Athletics