In a basketball game between the Tennessee Vols and Syracuse, the Vols led 30-25 at halftime despite a sloppy performance. The Vols continued to maintain their lead in the second half, winning the game 73-56. Notably, Dalton Knecht, Jahmai Mashack, and Jordan Gainey made significant contributions to the Vols' victory. The Vols will face either Purdue or Gonzaga in the next game.
Tennessee pulls away late from Syracuse. Still all about the Vols defense. Held the Orange to 56 points and just 35 percent shooting. Tennessee will get winner of Purdue and Gonzaga tomorrow in the semis.
FINAL IN HAWAII: No. 7 Tennessee 73, Syracuse 56. No Tobe Awaka (ankle), no Freddie Dilione (foot), no Dalton Knecht for most of the second half with cramps, no problem. #Vols play either Purdue or Gonzaga tomorrow. Either way, a banger.
#Vols 63, Syracuse 56, 2:24/2ndH. Tennessee ball after this media timeout on the floor. Vols winning a street fight without three pieces of their rotation. Helps to have depth.
#Vols 50, Syracuse 45, 7:32/2ndH. Tennessee's Jahmai Mashack to the line for one-and-one after this media timeout on the floor.
#Vols 42, Syracuse 37, 11:37/2ndH. Maybe Dalton Knecht to the line for 2 FTs after this media timeout on the floor. Maybe Tennessee ball OB. Officials didn't make that clear.
#Vols 38, Syracuse 29, 15:30/2ndH. Tennessee still nowhere near full gallop, but it's playing better and its physicality is starting to wear on the Orange. Media timeout on the floor.
Tennessee went 5-of-15 at the rim in the first half. Vols seem to be getting better quality shots. They start finishing and they should be able to create some separation. But Syracuse's length is tough.
Tennessee just played about as bad as they will for the first 10-12 minutes of this game... and still leads Syracuse by five at the half. This is a DAMN good basketball team 😤🍊
HALFTIME IN HAWAII: No. 7 Tennessee 30, Syracuse 25. #Vols couldn't have played much worse, and they're up five at the break. Having Dalton Knecht helps.
Syracuse 24, #Vols 21, 3:59/1stH. Tennessee has been disgustingly sloppy, but this game is right there to be taken if that changes. We'll see if it does. Long way to go. Media timeout on the floor.
Syracuse 19, #Vols 18, 7:46/1stH. Tennessee starting to settle in. Game on in Hawaii. Media timeout on the floor.
Syracuse 13, Tennessee 9, 11:49/1stH. Tennessee to the line for two FTs after this media timeout on the floor. Sloppy stuff from the #Vols early. Credit Syracuse for creating the pressure, but Tennessee's also been sloppy.
#Vols 5, Syracuse 4, 15:36/1stH. Tennessee OK so far except for two silly fouls on perimeter shooters. Gotta clean that up. Media timeout on the floor.
Final score in the Bahamas: Miami 91, Kansas State 83. Nijel Pack had 28 points against his former team. The Wildcats found a rhythm in the second half but it was too little too late.
Final in the Bahamas: Providence 71, Georgia 64. Bulldogs fall to 2-3. Noah Thomasson 19 points, 5 rebounds. RJ Melendez 15 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists. Rebounds: Providence 39, UGA 29. Next: Friday vs. Winthrop
#Vols 70, Wofford 54, 3:15/2ndH. Tennessee ball for two intentional foul free throws plus possession after this final media timeout on the floor.
#Vols 62, Wofford 49, 7:44/2ndH. Tennessee ball after this media timeout on the floor. Not the first time I've said this, won't be the last: Jordan Gainey is a much better all-around player than I thought he'd be.
#Vols 44, Wofford 34, 17:12/2ndH. Tennessee on an 8-0 run. Dalton Knecht doing that thing where he takes over a game.