KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Chaz Lanier delivered a standout performance, scoring 24 points to help propel the top-ranked Tennessee Volunteers to a 67-52 win over the challenging Norfolk State Spartans on Tuesday evening.
With this victory, Tennessee improved their record to 13-0, achieving one of the best starts in the history of their basketball program. Supporting Lanier, Zakai Zeigler, Cade Phillips, and Jordan Gainey each contributed 10 points to the team’s overall score. Additionally, Igor Milicik dominated the boards with 10 rebounds.
For Norfolk State, Christian Ings led the team with 19 points, while Brian Moore Jr. added 18. As the game progressed, Lanier showcased his talent by scoring 14 points by halftime, allowing Tennessee to take a 35-28 lead at the break. Moore was the top scorer for Norfolk State at halftime with 11 points, but the team struggled from beyond the arc, making only 1 of 7 three-point attempts. Nonetheless, they managed to outscore the Vols in the paint, 16-12.
In terms of overall performance, Norfolk State, with Moore averaging above 18 points per game, faced tough competition throughout the season, including competitive showings against teams like Stanford and Baylor prior to facing Tennessee.
Meanwhile, Tennessee has dealt with some challenges this season. Originally starting with 11 scholarship players, they lost big man J.P. Estrella to a foot injury for the remainder of the season, while guard Cameron Carr’s departure from the program has prompted Coach Rick Barnes to reevaluate his lineup and rotations.
A pivotal moment in the game came late in the second half when Tennessee, holding a 14-point lead, managed to execute six consecutive defensive stops. This allowed Gainey to break through for a dunk, extending the Vols’ lead to 60-44.
An important statistic from the match reveals Norfolk State went nearly 7 minutes without scoring in the second half, during which Tennessee increased their lead from 11 to 19 points.
Looking ahead, Norfolk State is set to begin their Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play at home, facing off against Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday. Concurrently, Tennessee will kick off their Southeastern Conference campaign at home against Arkansas on the same day.
