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Tennessee lets one get away to the Aggies in first home loss of the season

By Seth Norris

Jan 9, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Texas A&M Aggies forward DJ Hogg (1) moves the ball against Tennessee Volunteers guard Kevin Punter (0) during the first half at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Texas A&M Aggies forward DJ Hogg (1) moves the ball against Tennessee Volunteers guard Kevin Punter (0) during the first half at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Tennessee men’s basketball team (8-7, 1-2 SEC) dropped a close one at home to the Texas A&M Aggies (13-2, 3-0 SEC) for their first home loss of the season.

Tennessee was in control for the majority of the game, in fact, they led for just over 34 of 40 minutes, but dropped a close one 92-88.

The first half seen back and forth play for the first five minutes with the score tied at ten during the first media timeout. After the timeout, senior Vol guard Kevin Punter Jr. sunk two free throws to give the Vols a two-point lead, one that the Aggies would not get back until the end of the game.

Those were the only points scored in the half by the Vols leading scorer, but several players stepped up in a big way. Freshman Admiral Schofield turned in another impressive first-half performance pouring in 13 points on 5-for-5 shooting, and five rebounds. Junior Robert Hubbs III and freshman guard Shembari Phillips both added eight points.

After holding the Aggies to 37.5% shooting in the half, the Vols went into the break with a 46 to 38 lead shooting 55% from the field.

The second half seen more of the same offensively for the Vols. Punter Jr. finally got into a groove scoring 17 of his 19 points, and the Vols maintained their lead for nearly 18 minutes of the second half. However, an 18-4 scoring run in the last four minutes of the game was enough for the Aggies to steal one inside of Thompson-Boling Arena.

The second half surge was led by senior forward Jalen Jones and senior guard Alex Caruso for the Aggies. Jones, scored 15 of his 27 in the half, and finished one-point shy of tying his career high. Although Jones carried most of the load offensively, senior Caruso picked the Vols off five times during the game, and two times in the last two minutes to halt the Vols from extending their lead.

In the end, the Aggies took and 85-84 lead off a layup from freshman center Tyler Davis, and took the game 92-88.

Tennessee will now go on the road to face Georgia on Wednesday.

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