KNOXVILLE, Tenn.: After five pandemic-related postponements, No. 12 Tennessee made the most of its opener Tuesday night, struggling to a 56-47 victory over Colorado.
The Vols (1-0) didn’t get their first player into double figures until less than a minute remained when John Fulkerson hit two free throws to reach 11 points. Santiago Vescovi also scored 11.
Reserve Jeriah Horne scored 15 points for the Buffaloes (2-1), who had their own COVID-19 problems. They had a 10-day layoff, then traveled halfway across country to finally play a game.
McKinley Wright, who averaged 22 points in Colorado’s first two games, was handcuffed by the Vols’ defense. He scored six points in the first half and finished with eight.
Leading by seven at halftime, Tennessee struggled at the start of the second half. The Vols started 1 for 5 and Colorado closed within 33-31.
Defense then ignited the Vols. Keon Johnson batted the ball off McKinley for a turnover and converted a dunk on the offensive end. Colorado’s next possession ended in a steal by Vescovi, who drained a 3-pointer for a 38-31 lead.
A dunk and free throw by James put Tennessee ahead 44-34 with 11:48 to play.
Colorado played like a team that hadn’t faced an opponent since Nov. 27 and had to take a long trip to see some action.
With just under eight minutes gone in the first half, the Buffaloes had hit 1 of 9 shots and turned the ball over six times as the Volunteers jumped out to a 17-2 lead.
Tennessee upped its advantage to 26-10 before the Buffaloes woke up. Horne scored five points in a 14-2 run.
BIG PICTURE
Colorado: The impromptu game was actually the first of a three-game series signed by the teams. The Vols will travel to Boulder next year, and the Buffaloes will return to Nashville the following season.
Tennessee: The Vols were antsy for competition. Five games were postponed by the virus. Finding an opponent willing to travel to Knoxville on short notice was critical.
NEXT UP
Colorado: Hosts Northern Colorado on Monday.
Tennessee: Hosts Cincinnati on Saturday.
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