Knecht, defense lead No. 9 Tennessee over Tennessee Tech 80-42
Mon, Nov 6, 2023
NCAAB News (AP)
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Dalton Knecht scored 17 points and No. 9 Tennessee's defense was in midseason form as the Volunteers opened the season by beating Tennessee Tech 80-42 Monday night.
Knecht, a Northern Colorado grad transfer, scored 14 points in the first half. Josiah-Jordan James added 15 points and Jordan Gainey 11.
Tennessee Tech was limited to 22% shooting. The Golden Eagles turned over the ball 16 times and had eight shots blocked, four by Jonas Aidoo, who had eight rebounds.
Josiah Davis led Tennessee Tech with 13 points.
Santiago Vescovi and Zakai Zeigler, both preseason all-Southeastern Conference selections, saw their first action after missing both exhibitions.
The Golden Eagles managed to make 16% (4 of 25) of their shots in the first 20 minutes and trailed 41-12. Tennessee scored 14 straight points while Tennessee Tech went more than 4 minutes without scoring.
BIG PICTURE
Tennessee Tech: After going 16-17 last season, the Golden Eagles are poised for improvement. They are not likely to play a team better than Tennessee.
Tennessee: It was important for Tennessee to get a complete unit on the floor before the Vols travel to Wisconsin on Friday. Zeigler missed the two exhibition games while rehabilitating a torn left ACL sustained on Feb. 28. Vescovi was away from the team because of an illness in his family.
UP NEXT
Tennessee Tech: The Golden Eagles will stay on the road Friday against Murray State.
Tennessee: The Vols will travel to Madison on Friday to play Wisconsin.
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AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball
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