Rapid Reaction: Vols Basketball Defeats Kansas State 65-64

Dec 6, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Vols head coach Donnie Tyndall talks with Tennessee guards Kevin Punter (0) and Josh Richardson (1) during a first half time out against Kansas State Wildcats at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

It was a rough start in Thompson-Boling Arena Saturday afternoon for the Tennessee men’s basketball team against Kansas State, as both teams struggled out of the gate to get anything going on offense. The Vols led 25-17 at halftime, and both teams shot below 35% in the first half.

But the lights came on for both teams in the second half and the points started pouring in compared to the first. Tennessee never relinquished their lead, however, and the Vols held on to win 65-64 despite Kansas State making a late charge.

The win ended a two-game losing streak for the Vols, and it brought the team’s record back up to .500 at 3-3.

Josh Richardson once again led the Vols in scoring, dropping 17 points on the Wildcats while pulling down 4 rebounds and dishing 3 assists. No other Tennessee player totaled more than 9 points.

Armani Moore, however, had a solid game. He scored 6 points, pulled in 5 rebounds, and totaled 5 assists in the game. Willie Carmichael led Tennessee with 6 rebounds and added 9 points as well.

The Vols forced 22 turnovers in the game, and they only gave up 9 themselves. Kansas State did out-rebound the Vols 38-27, but Tennessee blocked the ball 8 times compared to Kansas State’s one lone block.

The win comes at a pivotal time for the young Vols, as a date with No. 23 Butler looms ahead on the schedule, then a tough road game at North Carolina State follows.