Postgame Notes: Georgia Tech 69, Tennessee 67

Nov. 16, 2015

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Postgame Notes

The Basics

Tennessee falls to 1-1 on the season and drops its first true road game of the season for the sixth consecutive year.

The Vols hold an all-time record of 1,570-1,003-2 (.640) in their 107th season of play.

Tennessee is now 42-28 all-time against Georgia Tech, including two straight losses to the Yellow Jackets. The Vols are also 19-16 against GT in Atlanta and 30-45 all-time in the city.

Head coach Rick Barnes falls to 6-4 in his career vs. Georgia Tech.

It was the second straight game against GT in Atlanta in which UT had a chance to win at the buzzer. In 2002, Vols guard Jon Higgins hit a desperation three-point shot from just beyond half court to give Tennessee a 70-69 win. Tonight, Devon Baulkman fired a deep three at the buzzer that was off the mark, as Georgia Tech grabbed the 69-67 mark. Had he connected, UT would have stolen yet another 70-69 win at the buzzer.

Official attendance for tonight's game was 5,467.

For Starters

Tennessee’s starters were Kevin Punter, Robert Hubbs III, Devon Baulkman, Armani Moore, and Derek Reese.

That unit started for the second consecutive game to begin the season.

Freshman Kyle Alexander was the first off the bench for the Vols, checking in at the 18:06 mark. In all, nine players saw the floor for UT on Monday night with seven finding their way into the score sheet.

Double-Figures

Armani Moore recorded the 18th double-digit scoring effort of his career on Monday, scoring a team-high 17 points.

Robert Hubbs III was the first Vol into double figures on Monday night, notchig his second straight contest of 10+ points to open the season. He finished with 13 points -- his 10th career game of double-digit scoring.

Jabari McGhee broke into double figures with a layup in the second half. His final tally of 10 points stands as a new career-high and marks the first double-digit scoring effort of his career. He has recorded new career marks in scoring in back-to-back games.

Senior Derek Reese led Tennessee on the glass, snaring 10 rebounds for the game. It was the 12th time in his career he had led his team in rebounding and the 10-board effort matched his career-high.

Kasongo's Debut

Freshman Ray Kasongo made his Tennessee debut in the first half against Georgia Tech. He checked in with 3:30 remaining until halftime and recorded the first two rebounds of his UT career.

Offensive Highlights

Tennessee used an 11-0 run early in the second half to take a 53-44 lead into the first media timeout -- its largest lead of the game to that point. Armani Moore converted a three-point play in transitioin and Devon Baulkman broke onto the scoresheet with a three-pointer to key the spurt.

The Vols were active on the glass all night a much taller GT squad, particularly on the offensive end. Of Tennessee's 53 rebounds on the night, 24 were on the offensive end. UT converted those rebounds into 16 second chance points. Senior Derek Reese led the Vols with five offensive boards.

With Georgia Tech's size a potential challenge for the vertically challenged Vols, Tennessee won the battle in the paint by outscoring the Yellow Jackets 44-36 down low.

Defensive Highlights

The Vols held Georgia Tech to just 2-of-19 from the three-point line on the night (10.5 percent) as the Yellow Jackets converted from deep only once per half.

Tennessee forced 14 turnovers and turned them into 17 points.

Senior Armani Moore recorded all four of Tennessee's blocks on the night, doing all of his damage in the first half.

At The Half

Tennessee trailed 40-38 at the halftime break. Over the first 20 minutes, UT trailed for 16.

Six players were in the scoring column after 20 minutes of play, led by nine from Robert Hubbs III. Detrick Mostella (8), Jabari McGhee (8), Armani Moore (7), Kevin Punter Jr. (4), and Derek Reese (2).

Detrick Mostella connected on Tennessee’s only threes of the half, going 2-of-3. He also had a team-high six rebounds -- a new career-high -- going into the break.

Armani Moore had four blocked shots in the first half, just one shy of his career-high of five set last year at Kansas State (12/6/14).

Up Next

The Vols return to Thompson-Boling Arena to face Marshall.

The game tips off at 7 p.m. ET and features an online-only telecast through SEC Network +.

Tennessee is 6-3 all-time against the Thundering Herd, but has not faced them since the 1946 season. It will be the ninth of the series' 10 games to be played in Knoxville.

University of Tennessee Athletics