In a dominant display of college basketball, No. 6 Tennessee defeated LSU with a final score of 88-68 in Knoxville. The Volunteers established an early lead, going up 8-0 within the first two minutes, and by halftime, they had extended their advantage to 50-27. Dalton Knecht led the scoring for Tennessee with 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, while also contributing 14 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds by halftime. Jordan Gainey added 10 points to the effort. Despite a significant LSU run in the second half that cut the lead to just 10 points, Tennessee managed to regain control and secure the victory. Knecht, who had a standout performance, was also the subject of a feature on his rapid rise and fit with coach Rick Barnes. Jonas Aidoo was noted for his plus/minus of +28 in 13 minutes of play during the first half. Tennessee's three-point shooting was particularly effective, with the team going 8-of-11 from beyond the arc at one point. Notably, LSU out-rebounded Tennessee 35-20 during the game.
FINAL IN KNOXVILLE: No. 6 Tennessee 88, LSU 68. #Vols got sloppy after building a 26-point lead but then calmly put the thing away. Brilliant first half, awful second half in stretches, but on balance a solid night. Game-high 27 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists for Dalton Knecht.
Tennessee has taken the steam out of that LSU run. Took too long, but it happened, and the lead never got down to two scores.
#Vols 75, LSU 64, 3:54/2ndH. Big and-1 from Dalton Knecht to stop a wild 17-2 LSU run out of nowhere that changed the game. LSU ball after this media timeout on the floor.
Vols, from up 26 to up 10 on LSU. Horrific second half.
Don't look now, but LSU no longer getting blown out of the building. Tigers have gone WILD from three, and this is a 10-point game with 6:32 left.
LSU is out-rebounding Tennessee 35-20 and still getting blown out of the building. Something you don't see often.
Getting a bit whistle-heavy for a 23-point game midway through the second half.
Dalton Knecht is doing his thing again tonight, 18 points so far as Tennessee is blowing out LSU. Feature on his meteoric rise and perfect fit with Rick Barnes from last week: https://t.co/qgk1J4cP9z
#Vols 64, LSU 41, 11:58/2ndH. LSU to the FT line for two after this media timeout on the floor.
LSU mixing in some zone. #Vols calmly move the ball and Knecht gets a layup.
#Vols 57, LSU 37, 15:19/2ndH. Tennessee hasn't had the same energy to start the 2ndH. Not terrible or anything. Just definitely down a notch. Media timeout on the floor.
#Vols' plus/minus leader in the first half: Jonas Aidoo at +28 in his 13 minutes on the floor.
HALFTIME IN KNOXVILLE: No. 6 Tennessee 50, LSU 27. Dominant first half from Tennessee in every way. No notes. Dalton Knecht with 14 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds.
#Vols 40, LSU 22, 4:40/1stH. Knecht with another three. Tennessee 8-of-11 from three. When this team does this ... wow. Timeout, LSU.
Zeigler now 3-of-3 from three. #Vols 37, LSU 20, 5:05/1stH.
#Vols 29, LSU 18, 7:45/1stH. Jordan Gainey heating up. He's up to 10 points. Tennessee ball after this media timeout on the floor.
#Vols 21, LSU 15, 10:50/2ndH. LSU admirably off the mat after this one looked ugly in the opening minutes. Tigers have made their past four shots. Tennessee ball after this media timeout on the floor.
Now a 13-0 #Vols lead over LSU. James for three.
#Vols 10, LSU 0, 17:40/1stH. One-way traffic so far. And loud. Timeout, LSU.
#Vols all over LSU early. Up 8-0 within two minutes.
So @LSUgym had its highest score ever Friday night: 198.475-196.200 win over Arkansas. @LSUwbkb has its most points ever in an SEC game Sunday, 106-66 over Florida. Oh, the Jayden Daniels of it all.
#LSU 100, Florida 58 4:00 left. Three points away from the LSU record in an SEC game.
The @LSUwbkb cruising, up 45-20 on Florida with 3:26 left in the first half. Tigers shooting 60% from the field and 3-point range. And we have a Janae Kent sighting. That's 8 Tigers in the game in the first half.
Final: LSU 95, Arkansas 74. That's the fourth SEC loss by at least 20 points this season as Arkansas drops to 11-11. Tigers shot the lights out and Arkansas couldn't keep up A week off now for the Hogs before Georgia comes to BWA next Saturday.
Half: LSU 45, Arkansas 30. Tigers made 7 three-pointers, and the Hogs made just 1. That's pretty much the difference. Will Baker has 17 to lead the Tigers.