Tennessee adds to school record by beating South Carolina 85-73
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — South Carolina couldn't miss from 3-point range and still couldn't put up much of a challenge against No. 1 Tennessee.
Admiral Schofield had 21 points and 10 rebounds as the top-ranked Volunteers defeated South Carolina 85-73 on Wednesday for their school-record 19th consecutive victory. South Carolina (12-12, 7-4 SEC) made a seasonhigh 14 3-point baskets and shot 60.9 percent from beyond the arc, but still trailed by double digits throughout the last 28 1/2 minutes.
"It's a game at the end of the day, and they're going to make shots and we're going to make shots," Schofield said. "It's just we've got to eliminate as many opportunities for them to score as we can, and that's our job. That's what defense is, just trying to steal possessions away from them and create more for ourselves, especially on the offensive glass."
Tennessee (23-1) owns the longest active winning streak of any active Division I team and is 11-0 in Southeastern Conference competition for the first time in school history.
The Vols' high-powered offense assured that Tennessee would keep its winning streak going. Tennessee shot 9 of 20 from 3-point range and had five players score in double figures.
"We've got to get tougher," South Carolina coach Frank Martin said. "It hurts my soul that we're not a tougher team. That goes against everything I stand for, but those are the kids we've got. They're trying real hard. I'm real proud of them and we've got to keep working to get better there."
On a night when both teams were on fire from beyond the 3-point arc, Tennessee's superior accuracy from shorter range made the difference. Tennessee was 25 of 49, while South Carolina was just 12 of 40 on 2-pointers.
"That's all fine and dandy," South Carolina's Hassani Gravett said of the Gamecocks' 3-point accuracy, "but you've got to get stops. You can't keep trading buckets with a team like this."
Jordan Bowden scored 16 points for Tennessee. Kyle Alexander, Jordan Bone and Lamonte' Turner added 10 points each. Grant Williams had eight points, nine rebounds and seven assists with only one turnover.
Tre Campbell had 19 points for South Carolina. Carlos Silva provided 17 points and 15 rebounds, while Gravett added 15 points.
Tennessee took command by going on a 26-6 run that turned a 15-12 deficit into a 38-21 advantage. The score was tied 15-all when Jalen Johnson hit a 3-pointer while getting fouled to start a four-point play that put Tennessee ahead for good.
The Vols reeled off 14 straight points later in that 26-6 stretch. The 14-0 spurt featured two dunks by Alexander and 3-pointers from Bowden and Schofield.