Knoxville, TN (My Sportsbook) - Tyler Smith recorded the first triple-double in Tennessee history with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, leading the 10th-ranked Volunteers past the UNC-Asheville Bulldogs, 87-69, and helping head coach Bruce Pearl collect his 400th career win. J.P. Prince totaled 10 points and six boards for the Volunteers (6-1), who fell to Gonzaga in the title game of the Old Spice Classic by an 83-74 final on Sunday. Cameron Tatum added 10 points and five rebounds. Reid Augst and John Williams both scored 14 points for the Bulldogs (3-4), who have dropped four in a row. Anticipating a rout, UNC-Asheville remained within striking distance, trimming the deficit to 18-16 on a tip-in by Eric Stubbs with about 7 1/2 minutes remaining in the opening half. A slam by Wayne Chism pushed the Vols' lead to 33-23 four minutes later, and the home squad closed out the frame on a 10-4 spurt to go into the break with a 43-27 cushion. The Bulldogs couldn't match the Vols' high-end talent in the second half, as Tennessee maintained a healthy double-digit lead and coasted to the finish. Game Notes The Vols extended their home winning streak to 35 games...Tennessee has won all six matchups with UNC-Asheville...Josh Tabb had 10 points, while Chism finished with eight points and five rebounds for the Vols, who shot 43.2 percent from the field...The Bulldogs made 40.6 percent of their attempts. |
