No. 20 Tennessee routs No. 11 Louisville to snap three-game skid

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The No. 20-ranked Tennessee men’s basketball team put on a defensive clinic at home Tuesday night, rolling past No. 11 Louisville 83-62 to halt a three-game losing streak.

The Vols entered without one of their starters, power forward Cade Phillips announced last week that he would have season-ending surgery. True freshman DeWayne Brown started in his place.

It was a back-and-forth battle early in the first half, but Louisville had no answer for Tennessee’s frontcourt. Jaylen Carey had nine points in the first half and finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds for the double-double.

The Vols led for most of the first half as the Cardinals were cold from three-point range, but they got going before the half and cut to score to 34-27 at the break.

Tennessee came out of the break on fire. Ja’Kobi Gillespie started a three-point barrage, followed by Amari Evans, Nate Ament and Ethan Burg to extend their advantage back out to double digits. A 9-0 run gave the Vols a 19-point lead with just under 10 minutes left to play.

Felix Okpara was a force on defense. The 6-foot-11 senior finished with three blocks and three steals along with eight points, two rebounds, and two assists.

Gillespie led the Vols with a team-high 23-points and five assists, scoring the majority of his points in the second half.

Tennessee improved to 8-3 on the season and will return home Sunday, December 21, when they host Gardner Webb.

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