(Photo courtesy of Drew Garrison/Tennessee Athletics)
by Camden Gober
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Vols hand the Governors their first loss as No. 11 Tennessee defeats Austin Peay, 103-68, behind a 23-point performance by Igor Milicic Jr.
The Charlotte transfer, Igor Milicic Jr., finished with a game-high 23 points, shooting 11 for 14 from the field, and had 9 rebounds to go along with it.
Sophomore forward Cade Phillips also flirted with a double-double, as he finished the game with 13 points and 9 rebounds. Phillips shot 5 for 7 from the feild, and 3 for 5 from the charity stripe.
Zakai Zeigler (19), Jordan Gainey (15), Felix Okpara (12), Jahmai Mashack (10), all finished in double figures scoring for the Vols.
The Vols’ offensive explosion was all started by their defense. Tennessee’s pressure on the defensive end led to a plethora of runouts and fastbreak opportunities, which led to easy buckets all afternoon.
The Vols held Austin Peay to 35% from the floor, compared to Tennessee’s 64% from the floor.
Tennessee was without sophomore big man JP Estrella on Sunday afternoon due to a left foot injury. Despite the injury to the Vols big man, Tennessee still outrebounded Austin Peay 43-25.
Coach Barnes on JP Estrella’s injury: “He’s (JP) day to day, it’s the same injury he’s been dealing with”
No. 11 Tennessee improves to 4-0 on the young season. The Vols will be back in action on Thursday night in the Bahamas in the first round of the Baha Mar Hoops Tournament. Tennessee takes on Virginia at 9:30 ET on CBSSN.