KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Chaz Lanier scored 23 points to lead No. 6 Tennessee to a 68-56 victory over No. 14 Mississippi State on Tuesday night. The Volunteers (17-2, 4-2 Southeastern Conference) remained perfect at home this season, winning all 11 games, and bounced back from Saturday's narrow 76-75 loss to rival Vanderbilt, which was later penalized $250,000 for allowing fans to storm the court.
Lanier's sharpshooting helped create early momentum, as he hit his first two shots from beyond the arc, setting the tone for Tennessee's fast start and strong defense. The Volunteers held the Bulldogs to just 16 points during the first half, marking the lowest output of the season for Mississippi State (15-4, 3-3). Jahmai Mashack and Jordan Gainey scored 10 points each, with Felix Okpara contributing 12 rebounds and nine points.
Despite Josh Hubbard leading Mississippi State with 14 points, the Bulldogs struggled offensively, shooting just 22.2% (6 of 27) from the field before halftime. Riley Kugel added 12 points and RJ Melendez contributed 10 as Mississippi State fell to 1-3 against ranked teams recently.
The Volunteers took control early, jumping out to an 8-0 lead, propelled by Lanier’s ability to drain deep shots, and by the time the first half concluded, they led by 34-16. The momentum accelerated when Lanier hit four three-pointers and posted 14 points, nearly matching the Bulldogs’ entire output.
After the break, Mississippi State found some rhythm, narrowing the gap to 38-31 with just under 15 minutes left on the clock. This early push, driven by Hubbard’s layup, appeared to ignite the Volunteers to respond aggressively, going on a dominant 14-2 run.
During this stretch, Felix Okpara's desperation 3-pointer, which marked his first attempt from downtown this season, proved pivotal, pushing Tennessee’s advantage back to double digits and sealing the Bulldogs’ fate. Tennessee rebounded from their previous loss with efficient shooting as they finished the game with six three-pointers and high energy throughout.
With this victory, Tennessee not only broke their losing streak against Mississippi State but also set themselves up for their upcoming road challenge against top-ranked Auburn. Tip-off is scheduled for Saturday at 8:30 p.m. The Volunteers are aiming to maintain their performance as they enter the tougher stretch of their season.
Mississippi State, meanwhile, will look to regroup as they prepare to host South Carolina on the same day. Their recent offensive struggles will need addressing if they're to improve their chances moving forward, especially against teams with strong defenses like Tennessee.
This win solidified Tennessee's position as one of the frontrunners within the Southeastern Conference, showcasing their resilience and ability to navigate through recent setbacks. The atmosphere at Thompson-Boling Arena remains electric, with fans eager for more as the season progresses.