Tennessee’s Vols and Lady Vols had games against in-state schools on Thursday as the #20 Tennessee Volunteers hosted the Tennessee State Tigers in Knoxville while the #15 Tennessee Lady Vols traveled to Murfreesboro to play guest to Middle Tennessee State. The schools from Knoxville both took victories from the schools from middle Tennessee.
#20 Tennessee started the game jumping out to a 19-4 lead and took care of Tennessee State with a final score of 89-60. Five different Vols scored in double digits with Greeneville native Ja’Kobi Gillespie had the most with 17 points. Freshman Nate Ament Louisiana Tech transfer Amaree Abram was right with him scoring 15 points a piece as well. DeWayne Brown II came off the bench to score 13 points while Felix Okpara put in 11 points. #20 Tennessee improves to 5-0 will take on #2 Houston in an Elite 8 rematch on Monday in the Players Era Tournament in Las Vegas. Coverage will be heard on 102.5 WOW Country.
Meanwhile in Murfreesboro the #15 Lady Vols took down the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State with a final score of 85-41. Kim Caldwell’s roster had four players scored in double-digits with Janiah Baker leading the way with 20 points. Deniya Prawl scored 15 points from the bench while Talaysia Cooper scored 13 points and Mya Pauldo knocked in 10 points. The Lady Vols improved to 3-1 and will return to Knoxville Sunday to take on Coppin State coverage can be heard on MIX 99.3.