Postgame Notes: Vols 67, #15 Butler 55

Dec. 14, 2014

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FOR STARTERS

Tennessee's starters: guard Josh Richardson, guard Kevin Punter, guard Devon Baulkman, forward Armani Moore, forward Willie Carmichael III.
It was the first career start for Baulkman, the junior transfer guard from Gulf Coast State College (Ga.)
Baulkman is the ninth Vol to start this season. Tennessee has had six starting lineups in seven games so far this year.
First basket: Kevin Punter with a pull up jumper at the top of the key at 19:24. He hit a long jumper from the baseline in the next possession, scoring the Vols' first four points.
First sub in: Tariq Owens and Detrick Mostella

WITH THE WIN...

Preserves Tennessee's unblemished home record this season (3-0).
Gives the Volunteers their first win over a ranked opponent since Feb. 26, 2013 (a 64-58 home win over No. 8 Florida).
Makes Tennessee 28-23 all-time against current members of the Big East Conference.
Gives the Vols their first win over a ranked opponent during the Donnie Tyndall era.

RICHARDSON LEADS SECOND HALF

After being held to only two points in the first half, Richardson scored 18 in the second half to finish with a team-leading and season-best 20 points.
He finished the game 9 of 13 from the field.
He has led the Vols in scoring in six of seven games this season.

KP'S CAREER DAY

Kevin Punter recorded a new career-best, scoring 18 points for the Vols on 7-of-10 shooting.
His previous career best was 14 points against Kansas (11/28/14)

MOORE REBOUNDS

After starting the game 0 for 6 from the field, Moore started getting the ball in the basket. He had nine points in the second half, including completing a 3-point play.
He finished with 8 rebounds, leading the Vols in that category for the fourth time this season.
All 10 Vols who played in Sunday's game scored.

THE 12-0 RUN

The Vols had a 12-0 run starting early in the second half to eventually tie the game 37-37 on a layup by Derek Reese with 13:57 left in the game.
Josh Richardson scored scored the first eight points of the run.
Butler was held scoreless for 6:56 during the half. In that time, the Bulldogs were 0 for 6 from the field until a 3-pointer by Alex Barlow with 12:11 left.

HALFTIME NOTES

All nine Vols who played in the first half scored, led by Kevin Punter's six points.
Long-distance shooting spelled the difference by halftime. Butler made two 3-pointers in the final minute to take a 34-25 halftime lead.
Butler was 6-of-15 (40.0 percent) shooting from 3-point range. Kellen Dunham was 3 of 8 and led all scorers with 11 points.
Butler out-rebounded Tennessee 24-12.
The score was tied five times and there were three lead changes in the half.

UP NEXT: @ NC STATE

The Vols play at NC State Wednesday, Dec. 17, at at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2).
The Wolfpack is off to a 7-1 start this season, its fourth under head coach Mark Gottfried, who played collegiately at Alabama and coached the Crimson Tide from 1998-2009.
Tennessee trails its all-time series with NC State, dating to 1929. The Wolfpack owns a 2-1 series edge in Raleigh.
NC State's top scorer, junior guard Trevor Lacey (17.0 ppg), played two seasons at Alabama before siting out last season as a transfer. In four career games against Tennessee, Lacey averages 12.5 ppg.
This contest completes a two-game, home-and- home contract with NC State. The Wolfpack came to Knoxville last season and posted a 65-58 win on Dec. 18, 2013.

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