Vols Stop 5-Game Skid With Upset Of LSU

Richardson, Moore Spark 78-63 Victory

  • Wednesday, March 4, 2015
  • Special to Chattanoogan.com

Senior Josh Richardson scored 20 points and junior Armani Moore finished with 19 to lead the Vols to a 78-63 victory over host LSU on Wednesday at Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

After being tied at halftime, the Vols (15-14, 7-10 SEC) shot 69.2 percent from the floor and outscored LSU 45-30 in the second half on their way to snapping a five-game losing streak.

"We've got so many young guys who have never been through a skid," Richardson said. "I've been through a couple. A few of us older guys talked to them."

Tennessee concludes the regular season Saturday when the Vols host South Carolina at 4 p.m. Richardson will be among the seniors honored in their final SEC game at Thompson-Boling Arena. The game will be televised on Fox Sports Net.

The Vols were effective from the floor and the 3-point range in the second half, shooting 18 of 26 from the field (69.2 percent) and 5 of 8 (62.5 percent) from beyond the arc. The Vols finished the game shooting 52.4 percent from the field. LSU shot just 37.5 percent from the field in the second half.

Sophomore Robert Hubbs hit a jumper to put the Vols up for good 40-38 with 16:43 left in the second half.

Tennessee led by as many as 18 points when Kevin Punter hit a heavily guarded 3-pointer with 8:31 remaining. LSU eventually cut the lead to 11 points but never came within single digits of the Vols.

"We've competed all year," Vols coach Donnie Tyndall said. "We haven't always played great basketball, but we competed tonight against an NCAA tournament team."

The Vols have now won five consecutive games over LSU, a streak that started in 2008. Wednesday's outcome was much different than the first meeting this season, which LSU won 73-55.

LSU sophomore big men Jarell Martin and Jordan Mickey average more than 16 points and 9 rebounds each, but Keith Hornsby led the way for the Tigers on Wednesday. He made 5 3-pointers to finish with 23 points.

Tennessee and LSU were tied 33-33 after the first half, thanks to the Vols work on the glass. The Vols out-rebounded the taller Tiger squad 22-15, converting 11 offensive rebounds into eight second-chance points.

Richardson led the way for the Vols offensively in the first half with 14 points after being held to just seven points the last game at Florida. Derek Reese had seven rebounds to lead all players. 

 

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