Postgame Notes: UT 78, S. Carolina 69

Jan. 23, 2016

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Postgame Notes

The Basics

Tennessee earned its first win over a ranked opponent this season and improved to 9-2 at home this year.

UT improved to 1,579-1,011-2 in program history and 340-120 all-time at Thompson-Boling Arena.

Tennessee starters were Kevin Punter, Robert Hubbs III, Devon Baulkman, Armani Moore and Admiral Schofield.

Official attendance for tonight’s game was 13,928.

Ranked Win for the Vols!

Today's victory over No. 24/18 South Carolina marked the Vols’ first win over a ranked opponent since Jan. 13, 2015 when they defeated No. 19 Arkansas in Knoxville. UT is now 1-2 against ranked foes this season.

Head coach Rick Barnes picked up his 94th victory over a ranked opponent with today’s win over the Gamecocks.

The Vols have now beaten ranked South Carolina squads two straight times. UT defeated the 13th ranked Gamecocks, 70-69, in Knoxville on Feb. 7, 1998.

2nd Half 3-Point Shooting

After struggling from long range in the first half (1-for-9) the Vols heated up in a big way. They went 9-for-12 (75 percent) from behind the arc in the second half, accounting for 27 of their 39 points in the final 20 minutes.

Punter led the charge with five of his six made 3-point attempts in the second half.

Punter Joins Elite Company

Kevin Punter posted a new career-high with 36 points and became just the fifth Vol in the last 20 years to register three or more 30-plus point games in a single season.

Punter also recorded his 17th straight game scoring in double figures and has now eclipsed the 20-point mark in scoring in eight straight games, tying Ron Slay for the longest streak of such games since 2003.

The Bronx, N.Y., native now has 14 games this season with 20 or more points after having zero 20-plus point efforts last season.

Punter also posted career highs in made 3-pointers (six) and made free throws (14).

Clutch from the Charity Stripe

In a game that featured a lot of fouls on both sides, the Vols took advantage of their free-throw attempts, going 30-for-32 from the line.

Punter led the Vols with a near perfect performance, going 14-of-15 from the stripe.

Robert Hubbs III also had a strong day at the line, going a perfect 8-for-8 on the way to scoring 12 points.

All-Time Series

Tennessee improved to 42-24 all-time against South Carolina with today’s win, including a 25-8 record in Knoxville.

Head coach Rick Barnes stayed unbeaten against the Gamecocks in his career, improving to 6-0. He also improved to 4-4 all-time against South Carolina coach Frank Martin.

Up Next

The Vols travel head to Tuscaloosa to take on Alabama on Tuesday, Jan. 26. Fans can catch the game on the SEC Network at 9 p.m. ET. As always fans can also listen to Bob Kesling and Bert Bertelkamp call the game on the Vol Radio Network.

Tennessee is 67-77 all-time against the Crimson Tide and is just 18-43 in the series on the road.

Both teams have alternated wins in the last four meetings with Alabama coming away victorious in last year’s meeting, 56-38.

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