Top-ranked Tennessee continued their dominant run with a 75-62 victory over Miami at the Jimmy V Classic in Madison Square Garden. Chaz Lainer led the way with 22 points, supported by Igor Milicic Jr.'s 16 points and nine rebounds, and Zakai Zeigler's 13 points and nine assists.
The Volunteers, now 9-0 for the first time since 2000-01, showcased their prowess as the newly crowned No. 1 team in the AP Top 25. Despite a brief lead by Miami in the first half, Tennessee's resilience and skill shone through, securing their ninth consecutive double-digit win.
Miami, on the other hand, faced their seventh consecutive defeat, with Lynn Kidd contributing 14 points and Nyjel Pack and AJ Station-McCray adding 12 and 11 points, respectively. The Hurricanes struggled with their shooting, finishing at 39.3% from the field.
A pivotal moment in the game came when Miami closed the gap to 63-56 in the second half, only for Tennessee to respond emphatically. Milicic's crucial 3-pointer and Lainer's layup swiftly reestablished the Volunteers' double-digit lead, sealing the victory.
Tennessee's proficiency from beyond the arc was evident as they made 10 three-pointers, marking their fifth game this season with at least 10 made threes. Looking ahead, the Volunteers will face Illinois in their next game as the top-ranked team, while Miami will host Presbyterian.
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