Lockdown defense in the second half and an explosive offensive effort from Santiago Vescovi proved to be the difference Wednesday, as No. 7 Tennessee escaped with a win at Ole Miss Wednesday in its SEC opener, 63-59.
The Volunteers (11-2, 1-0 SEC) fell behind by as many as 10 points in the first half and trailed for nearly 22 minutes of game time but were able to secure their first true road win of the season and begin conference play in the win column.
It marks the second straight season in which Tennessee has erased a double-figure deficit to come from behind and defeat the Rebels. Last season in Knoxville, the Vols came back from down 12 to defeat Ole Miss in overtime, 66-60.
Vescovi led the way offensively for Tennessee this time around with a season-high 22 points on 8-of-14 shooting—his eighth career 20-point game and second this season. Vescovi also converted five 2-point field goals—surpassing his previous season-high of two.
Jonas Aidoo had a standout performance on the boards for Tennessee with a career-high 13 rebounds—six offensive—and eight points in a career-high 29 minutes.
Zakai Zeigler was the second Vol in double figures Wednesday, shooting just 2-for-9 from the field but chipping in 13 points—thanks to a 9-for-10 performance at the free-throw line.
Tennessee takes a one-week break from competition before taking on Mississippi State in its SEC home opener on Tuesday, Jan. 3. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2 with radio coverage available on 103.1 FM WIKQ.
