McRae celebrates UT’s 54-53 victory over the Tide.
Photo by Reed Carringer

KNOXVILLE- Over 18,00 people were in attendance (and they were loud) as Tennessee finally pulled out a close SEC win with good execution and some solid defense. Alabama led for most of the game, but brilliant second half performances from Stokes and McRae were too much for the visiting Tide to overcome. The duo combined for 24 points in the final 20 minutes of play, and Alabama didn’t have an answer for them when the Vols needed a bucket. Trevor Lacey had a chance to give Alabama a road win, but sound defense from Stokes forced Lacey to throw up an errant shot as time expired.

At the half, Tennessee trailed 25-19. The Vols outrebounded the Tide 17-13, but allowed them to shoot 50% from the floor (10-20), including 37.5% from 3 (3-8). Tennessee was scoreless from beyond the arc (0-5) in the first half and Jordan McRae, the SEC’s second leading scorer, managed just 2 points on 1-6 shooting. The first half play of Stokes was encouraging (6 points, 7 rebounds) and he showed the kind of aggressiveness the Vols need from him throughout the game.

Stokes grabbed his fifth double-double of the year.
Photo by Reed Carringer

Offense: Jarnell Stokes looked like the player most expected him to be this season and finished with his fifth double-double of the year (15 points on 7-11 shooting, and 18 rebounds). Alabama had no answer for him in the paint, and Stokes was decisive when he got the ball down low. Tennessee is a different team when he is a force in the paint, and his play bodes well for the Vols moving forward.

Trae Golden (three points) continued to struggle and failed to score from the field. Even with Stokes playing well, Tennessee will need better play from Golden to string several wins together. On a positive note, Golden didn’t turn the ball over.

Jordan McRae had two points at intermission, but scored 15 points on 5-7 shooting in 19 minutes of second half play.

As a team, the Vols shot 42% (21-50), 20% from 3 (2-10), and 62.5% (10-16) from the charity stripe.

Defense: Alabama got good looks most of the afternoon, and shot 46.7% for the game. The Tide run a disciplined offense, and Tennessee struggled defending Alabama’s guards off screens. Trevor Releford led the Tide with 18 points on 7-11 shooting (3-3 from 3) while Trevor Lacey added 11 points. Tennessee’s defense stiffened when it mattered, and UT’s bigs did a good job switching screens late in the game.

The Vols dominated the glass, outrebounding Alabama 37-22, and allowed just six offensive rebounds (four below the Tide’s average for the year).

Final Take: “Tremendous crowd, they did a good job really staying after it. It was one of the things that got us over the hump,” Cuonzo said. “It was a great win for everybody involved.”

This was the performance the Vols needed. They were clutch when it counted. If they can build on this win, they certainly have the ability to string together a winning streak and climb back in the hunt for an NCAA bid.

Up Next: Vanderbilt comes to town Tuesday, 7 p.m. TV: ESPNU