AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Zakai Zeigler scored 16 points to lead No. 1 Tennessee to a hard-fought 74-70 victory over Texas on Saturday. The win came on the heels of a 30-point loss to No. 8 Florida earlier in the week.
Jordan Gainey’s clutch 3-pointer extended Tennessee’s lead to 66-60 with just 2:41 remaining in the game. Zeigler then took over, scoring the next six points for the Volunteers (15-1, 2-1 SEC), including a crucial reverse layup with under a minute to go.
Gainey and Darlinstone Dubar chipped in with 12 points each for Tennessee, who had suffered their first defeat of the season against Florida. The Volunteers faced a tough challenge from SEC newcomer Texas (11-5, 0-3), with Dubar’s putback dunk tying the game at 56 before his 3-pointer put Tennessee ahead 61-60.
Freshman guard Tre Johnson led the way for Texas with 26 points on efficient 11-of-17 shooting. However, Johnson struggled to find his scoring touch in the final 11 minutes of the game, allowing Tennessee to pull away for the win.
Key Takeaways:
Tennessee: The loss to Florida will likely see the Volunteers drop from the top spot in the upcoming AP rankings. Chaz Lanier, the SEC’s leading scorer averaging nearly 20 points per game, was held to just 10 points for the second straight game.
Texas: Johnson showcased his scoring ability but faded in crunch time. Arthur Kaluma, who had exploded for 34 points in the previous game against No. 2 Auburn, managed just four points in this contest.
Key Moment:
Dubar’s emphatic dunk and subsequent 3-pointer swung the momentum firmly in favor of the Volunteers late in the game.
Key Stat:
Tennessee asserted its dominance on the boards, outrebounding Texas 41-27, and also controlled the paint with a 28-16 advantage in points inside.
Up Next:
Both teams are back in action on Wednesday. Tennessee will host Georgia, while Texas will face off against in-state rival No. 17 Oklahoma, a recent addition to the SEC.
