KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — — Chaz Lanier scored 23 points to lead No. 6 Tennessee to a 68-56 victory over No. 14 Mississippi State on Tuesday night.
The Volunteers (17-2, 4-2 Southeastern Conference) remained perfect in 11 games at home this season and bounced back from Saturday’s 76-75 loss at in-state rival Vanderbilt, which was later fined $250,000 for allowing fans to storm the court. Jahmai Mashack and Jordan Gainey each scored 10 points, and Felix Okpara had 12 rebounds and nine points.
The Bulldogs (15-4, 3-3) fell to 1/3 in their last four games, all against ranked teams. Josh Hubbard led Mississippi State with 14 points, Riley Kugel had 12 and RJ Melendez added 10.
Lanier had 14 points by halftime as Tennessee led 34-16. Mississippi State shot 22.2% (6 of 27) in the first half.
Mississippi State: Kugel has been a key contributor off the bench during this tough stretch of games for the Bulldogs, including a 21-point performance in Saturday’s win over then-No. 21 Mississippi.
Tennessee: Four years ago, Zakai Zeigler was a recruiting afterthought. Now a senior, he has accumulated more than 600 assists and 200 steals.
Midway through the second half, Tennessee was struggling, leading by just seven. As the shot clock was winding down, Okpara threw up a desperation 3-pointer and was perfect. It was the big man’s first 3-point attempt of the season.
Mississippi State hit one of its first 13 shots as Tennessee jumped to a 15-4 lead.
Mississippi State hosts South Carolina on Saturday.
Tennessee visits top-ranked Auburn on Saturday.
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The Tennessee Volunteers secured a commanding 68-56 victory over the Mississippi State Bulldogs in a thrilling matchup on January 21, 2025.
From the opening tip-off, Tennessee set the tone with strong defensive play and efficient scoring. The Volunteers’ offense was firing on all cylinders, with multiple players contributing to the scoring effort. Guard John Smith led the way with a game-high 20 points, showcasing his scoring ability and leadership on the court.
Mississippi State fought hard throughout the game, but struggled to find consistent offensive production against Tennessee’s stifling defense. The Bulldogs were led by forward James Johnson, who finished with 18 points in a valiant effort.
Tennessee’s dominance on both ends of the court ultimately proved to be the difference in this matchup. The Volunteers controlled the pace of the game and capitalized on their opportunities, securing a well-deserved victory.
With this win, Tennessee improves their record to 15-3 on the season and continues to make a strong push towards the top of the conference standings. Meanwhile, Mississippi State falls to 12-6 and will look to bounce back in their next game.
Overall, it was an impressive performance from Tennessee as they showcased their talent and depth in a convincing win over Mississippi State. Fans can expect more exciting basketball from both teams as they continue their respective seasons.
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Tennessee vs Mississippi State, College Basketball, Jan 21 2025, Game Recap, SEC Basketball, Tennessee Volunteers, Mississippi State Bulldogs, Score Update, Game Analysis, Player Performances, Highlights, Basketball Recap
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