Postgame Notes: Miss State 71, Vols 66

Feb. 3, 2015

CAREER NIGHT FOR RICHARDSON

Josh Richardson led the Vols in scoring with career-best 30 points, the 13th time Richardson has led the Vols in scoring this season.
It is the most points a Vol has scored this season.
It is the third time this season Richardson has scored at least 20 points. He scored 20 against both Arkansas (1/13/15) and Butler (12/14/14).
He started the game shooting 1 for 5 from the field but heated up after that. He shot 10 of 13 the rest of the way and finished 11 of 18 from the field.
It was the first 30-point game by a Vol since Jordan McRae scored 31 at Missouri in a 75-70 loss on Feb. 15, 2014.

POINTS POURING IN FROM PUNTER

Vols junior Kevin Punter has scored 10 or more points in six consecutive games.
He finished Tuesday's game with 10 points, hitting a 3-pointer late to cut the lead to 63-61 with 2:20 left.
At home, junior Kevin Punter shoots .500 from 3-point range (21-of-42). On the road/neutral site, that percentage dips to .308 (8-for-26).

INSIDE THE SERIES

FOR STARTERS

Tennessee starters: Josh Richardson, Kevin Punter, Robert Hubbs III, Armani Moore, Tariq Owens
It was Owens' second start of the season. His other start came Dec. 6 at home against Kansas State.
First UT basket: Owens with a rebound and a putback (18:58)
First sub: Derek Reese

HALFTIME NOTES

Mississippi State led the Vols 32-30.
Tariq Owens, making his second start of the year, recorded a career-high four points with a pair of layups.
Josh Richardson led the Vols with 11 points and was one of six Vols to score.
Devon Baulkman matched with his career high with four assists at the half.
In the first meeting between the two schools on Jan. 7, Mississippi State had 11 field goals the entire game. By halftime Tuesday, they had 12 field goals on 12 of 19 shooting (63.2 percent).

University of Tennessee Athletics