Chaz Lanier scored 23 points and Zakai Zeigler contributed 17 points and 15 assists to propel No. 1 Tennessee to an 82-64 victory over a determined Middle Tennessee on Monday night. Felix Okpara chipped in with 12 points, Jordan Gainey added 10, and Igor Milicic Jr. hauled in 12 rebounds as the Volunteers improved to 12-0, matching the second-best start in program history.
Despite their best efforts, the Blue Raiders (9-4), displaying the prowess of a top mid-major team, received a strong performance off the bench from Camryn Weston, who notched 24 points, and Kamari Lands, who scored 13 points.
Middle Tennessee found themselves trailing by double digits midway through the first half, only to mount a spirited 12-3 run that saw them take the lead. Shooting an impressive 50% (16 of 32) against one of the nation’s top defenses, the Blue Raiders headed into halftime with a 40-34 advantage. Weston’s 17 first-half points were crucial for Middle Tennessee, while Okpara contributed 10 points for Tennessee, which shot 40.7% (11 of 27) from the field.
Key Takeaways:
Middle Tennessee: The addition of key transfers such as Jlynn Counter (IUPUI), Lands (Arizona State), and Essam Mostafa (Coastal Carolina, TCU) has proven instrumental in turning around the team’s fortunes following last season’s disappointing 14-19 finish.
Tennessee: The Volunteers must approach their upcoming game with a heightened sense of urgency as they prepare to face a tough challenge from Arkansas in their first Southeastern Conference matchup. Tennessee’s focus should center on providing support for their big men on the boards.
Key Moment:
With approximately 13 minutes remaining, Lanier’s two successful free throws gave Tennessee a slim 52-51 lead. Moments later, he extended the Vols’ advantage by sinking a crucial 3-pointer to make it 55-51.
Key Stat:
Weston, initially not part of the Blue Raiders’ starting lineup, entered the game averaging 10.7 points. However, he exceeded expectations by scoring 17 points in the first half alone and finished with an impressive total of 24 points.
Up Next:
Middle Tennessee will visit Florida International on Jan. 2, while the Vols are set to host Norfolk State on Dec. 31.
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