Tennessee defeats SC State 105-54
Tennessee Dominates SC State in Statement Win
The Tennessee Volunteers made a statement on New Year's Eve, cruising to a 105-54 victory over the South Carolina State Bulldogs at the Food City Center. The dominant performance was a testament to the team's depth and versatility.
At halftime, the home team led by a margin of 16 points, but it was just the beginning of a blowout for Tennessee. The Volunteers' defense stiffened in the second half, holding SC State to just 29 points on 19-of-55 shooting from the field. Meanwhile, Tennessee's offense continued to click, with Ja'Kobi Gillespie leading the way with 21 points and eight assists.
Gillespie was a force to be reckoned with, hitting three of his five three-point attempts and converting 58.3% of his field goal attempts. His all-around performance set the tone for the rest of the team, which played with a sense of urgency and purpose throughout the contest.
Tennessee's defense was equally impressive, holding SC State to just 40.0% shooting from the field and forcing 10 turnovers. The Volunteers also outrebounded their opponents by a significant margin, grabbing 52 boards compared to SC State's 16.
The true test of Tennessee's mettle came in the second half, when they needed to put away a lead that had grown to 51 points at one point. They did so with ease, scoring on several fast break opportunities and holding off any potential Bulldog resurgence.
With the win, Tennessee demonstrated its status as one of the top teams in the country, while SC State showed that it has some work to do to become a consistent contender. For the Volunteers, this was a statement game that showcased their depth, speed, and overall talent.
Game Stats:
* Field Goals: Tennessee (39/64), SC State (19/55)
* 2-Point FG: Tennessee (31/41), SC State (13/35)
* 3-Point FG: Tennessee (8/23), SC State (6/20)
* Free Throws: Tennessee (19/33), SC State (10/20)
* Rebounds: Tennessee (52), SC State (16)
* Assists: Tennessee (30), SC State (9)
Game Leaders:
* Tennessee:
+ Ja'Kobi Gillespie - 21 points, 8 assists
+ Jaylen Carey - 13 points, 10 rebounds
* SC State:
+ Jayden Johnson - 25 points
+ Rayniel Wright - 6 points, 4 rebounds