By Lohan Sutton
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee men’s basketball wrapped up 2025 with a 105-54 win at home against South Carolina State.
The No. 19-ranked Vols have regrouped since a rough stretch at the start of the month – closing out the year on a three-game winning streak.
This was the 44th consecutive non-conference home win, the longest in program history.
It was a slow start for both offenses, but the Vols started to find success scoring around the midway point of the first half.
“It is a hard team to get rhythm against,” said Tennessee Head Coach Rick Barnes.
Ja’Kobi Gellespie led the charge for Tennessee, with 14 first-half points. Junior forward Jaylen Carey also had good production in the first half, scoring seven points.
Defensive mistakes forced South Carolina State into foul trouble early in the first half, sending Tennessee into the double bonus with five minutes left.
Thanks to one costly mistake with under one second left in the first, Amari Evans was sent to the line for three free throws.
At the end of the first half, the Vols led 41-25. A strong shooting performance helped Tennessee get out in front, shooting 61.9% from the field.
Tennessee production kicked off the second half with scoring from Bishop Boswell and DeWayne Brown II.
The final frame opened with an impressive performance from the 3-point line for Tennessee, scoring 4-for-7 early. The Vols would end the second half 6-for-15 from deep.
The offense found a rhythm in the second half, converting 26-for-43 from the field. Gillespie led the offense with 21 points and eight assists.
Another key to Tennessee’s offensive success was ball movement; the team finished with 30 assists.
By the end of the game, Tennessee had five players in double-digit scoring. J.P. Estrella and Jaylen Carey finished with double-doubles.
Estrella is ramping up after injury and is producing at his highest mark since the start of the season, finishing tonight with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Carey logged 13 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists.
If there was one worrisome issue despite the 51-point victory for the Big Orange, Tennessee continues to struggle from the free-throw line, finishing tonight 19-for-33.
This marks the second-lowest free-throw percentage this season for the Volunteers.
“Mental toughness,” said Barnes, on what the players need for success at the charity stripe.
With 2026 around the corner, the Volunteers will be back in action Jan. 3 in Fayetteville, Arkansas, to kick off SEC play against No. 18 Arkansas Razorbacks.