TOP 25 ROUNDUP Golden’s 25 power Tennessee to win over No. 25 Wichita St.

Trae Golden believed Tennessee could not afford a third straight loss, so he made sure the Volunteers avoided that fate.

Golden scored 25 points and sparked an 11-2 run that closed out a 69-60 victory over No. 23 Wichita State on Thursday night, a win that snapped the host Volunteers’ twogame losing streak and handed the Shockers (91) their first loss of the season.

“I told the guys it was a must-win before the game,” Golden said. “I knew it was a must-win.”

In its last two games, Tennessee (5-3) had lost 37-36 to Georgetown in the SEC/Big East Challenge on Nov. 30 and 4638 at Virginia on Dec. 5. The only other time Tennessee failed to score 40 points since the shot clock was introduced for the 1985-86 season introduction of a shot clock was a 43-35 loss to Auburn on Jan. 15, 1997.

Tennessee broke out of its offensive funk by shooting 47.5 percent from the field and matching the highest point total Wichita State had allowed all season. The Shockers won 72-69 at Air Force on Dec. 2.

“This is a quality win against a quality opponent,” said Tennessee guard Jordan McRae, who added 17 points. “That’s a great team. They were undefeated, ranked. That’s one we needed.”

Carl Hall matched a career high with 21 points and also had nine rebounds — seven offensive — for Wichita State.

Texas-Pan American 92, Eureka 64: Justin Leathers scored 14 points, leading four players in double figures, to help the host Broncos (3-7) cruise past the NAIA Red Devils (3-5).