Postgame Notes: Tennessee 64, Xavier 49

Nov. 29, 2013

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FOR STARTERS

Starters for Tennessee: Jarnell Stokes, Jordan McRae, Josh Richardson, Antonio Barton, Jeronne Maymon.

Stokes netted the first points of the game, a right-handed hook shot just 21 seconds into the contest.

With the win, the Volunteers now lead the all-time series with Xavier by a 12-5 margin. UT improves to 2-0 against Xavier in neutral site games.

The win improves Cuonzo Martin to 8-5 against current members of the BIG EAST Conference, including wins in eight of his last 10 tries.

Tennessee improves to 4-2 on the season.

OUT FOR REVENGE

With the 64-49 win, the Vols avenge a 67-63 season opening loss at Xavier on Nov. 12.

Tennessee and the Musketeers played for the third time in 11 months. UT won 51-47 in Knoxville on Dec. 29, 2012 and lost this season's opener in Cincinnati.

The 2011-12 season marked the last time Tennessee face a non-conference opponent twice during the regular season. The Vols played Memphis twice that year, dropping both contests (in Maui and in Memphis). Current Vol Antonio Barton was on the Tigers' roster that season.

STOKES STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

Junior forward Jarnell Stokes led the game with 20 points, his most since scoring 20 at Texas A&M on Feb. 23, 2013.

It was the forward's fourth 20-point game of his career.

Stokes led the Vols in scoring for the first time this season and the 13th time of his career.

Adding 10 rebounds, Stokes recorded the 21st double-double of his career and the third this season (second in a row).

DEFENDING XAVIER'S STUD

Xavier's leading scorer Semaj Christon (16.0 ppg entering the contest) was limited to just four points.

Christon entered the contest having scored double figures in 25-consecutive games.

In last year's game, Christon was held to just five points in the Vols' 51-47 win. He had 18 in the Musketeers' win earlier this season.

FRONTCOURT DOMINANCE

Jarnell Stokes and Jeronne Maymon combined for 34 points against Xavier, with Stokes' 20 leading the game.

The duo also pulled down 16 rebounds, including a combined six on the offensive end.

DOUBLE-FIGURE FELLAS

Jarnell Stokes (20), Jordan McRae (16) and Jeronne Maymon (14) scored in double-digits for the Volunteers.

The 50 points accounted for 78 percent of Tennessee's scoring (50-of-64).

It was Stokes' 33rd career double-digit scoring performance, while McRae picked up his 43rd and Maymon his 28th.

WINDICATORS

Tennessee improves to 12-1 during Jarnell Stokes' career when he makes six or more field goals. Stokes was 7-of-11 from the floor on Friday.

Tennessee improves to 21-2 under head coach Cuonzo Martin when it leads by at least seven at halftime. The Vols lead Xavier 39-26 after 20 minutes today.

OFFENSIVE BOARDS LEAD TO POINTS

Tennessee out-rebounded the Musketeers 41-29 in the game and 16-11 on the offensive glass.

The Vols turned those offensive boards into a commanding 26-4 advantage in second-chance points.

POINTS IN THE PAINT

In addition to second-chance points, the Volunteers scored 42 of its 64 (65 percent) points in the paint.

HALFTIME LEAD BODES WELL FOR UT

Under third-year head coach Cuonzo Martin, Tennessee improves to 31-6 (.838) in games it led at halftime.

The Vols scored 39 points against the Musketeers in the opening half - marking the most points scored against Xavier in the first half this season.

NEXT UP

The Vols advance to play in the 5th-place game of the Battle 4 Atlantis at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday on AXS TV. Tennessee plays the winner of USC vs. Wake Forest.

The Vols return home from The Bahamas and will host Tennessee Tech on Saturday, Dec. 7 at Thompson-Boling Arena. Tipoff is slated for noon ET.

University of Tennessee Athletics

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