Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles vs Tennessee Volunteers Match Player Stats On Dec 18, 2020

The 10th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers put six players in double figures and dominated visiting intra-state foe Tennessee Tech, 103-49, on Friday night in Knoxville.

The Vols (4-0) were led by Jaden Springer, who had 21 points and a game-high six assists. Also scoring in double figures for UT were Victor Bailey Jr. (15), Josiah-Jordan James (15), John Fulkerson (13 points), Keon Johnson (13) and Yves Pons (10).

UT shot 58.3 percent from the floor.

The Vols entered Friday's game tied with Fresno State at the top of the heap on the NCAA's scoring defense list at 47.0 points per game. That defense, which held Appalachian State to 38 points and executed 13 steals last time out, was on full display against Tennessee Tech.

The Vols pressured the Golden Eagles (0-8) into 31.0 percent shooting from the floor. The Vols outrebounded Tech 45-26 and forced 15 turnovers, converting those into 25 points.

Tech's leading scorer on the season, Jr. Clay, had a team-high 13 points, but he hit just 4 of 13 shots.

Keishawn Davidson added 12 points and three assists for the Golden Eagles.

For a brief moment, Tech looked scrappy.

The Eagles kept the Tennessee lead to single digits until Springer hit a 3-pointer at the 12:46 mark of the first half to make it 21-8. From that point on, the Vols put the defensive clamps on, holding Tech to just five points over the final 8 minutes, 28 seconds, and headed into intermission up 49-22.

Springer had 17 points on 6 of 7 shooting in the first half while Tech's Clay was held scoreless.

It was all UT in the second half.

Tennessee returns to its home floor for the third of four games in a nine-day stretch when it takes on Saint Joseph's on Monday night.

The Golden Eagles will next take a shot at getting their elusive first victory on Tuesday when they hit the road to Western Kentucky.

--Field Level Media