Postgame Notes: Gonzaga 86, Vols 79

Dec. 20, 2015

Postgame Notes

The Basics

Tennessee falls to 5-5 on the year with all five losses coming away from Thompson-Boling Arena.

Junior guard Robert Hubbs III, who had missed the last two games after undergoing an arthroscopic procedure on his knee earlier in the month, made his return to action on Saturday night. He checked into the game with 12:57 remaining in the first half and finished with 3 points in 19 total minutes.

The Vols' 20 fast break points were their most this season.

For Starters

Tennessee's starters were Kevin Punter, Devon Baulkman, Admiral Schofield, Armani Moore, and Derek Reese for the third straight game.

The Vols are now 1-2 when utilizing that starting lineup.

Freshman forward Kyle Alexander was the first Vol off the bench against the Bulldogs, entering the game at the 16:13 mark.

The Series

Tennessee falls to 1-3 against Gonzaga all-time and 1-2 against the Bulldogs at neutral sites. The Vols are 1-1 in the city of Seattle.

Head coach Rick Barnes is now 0-4 against Gonzaga and 0-3 against close friend and Bulldogs head coach Mark Few.

Punter's Points

Kevin Punter Jr. scored 20+ points for the seventh consecutive contest, finishing with 23 against Gonzaga.

Punter's seven-game streak is the longest since SEC Player of the Year Ron Slay recorded eight straight during February 2003.

Punter's season average remains at 23.0 ppg. That figure was good for second in the SEC entering the game.

Vols From Deep

After converting a season-low three 3-pointers against Florida Atlantic on Wednesday, the Vols rebounding to connect on 10 shots from distance Saturday.

It was the third time this season that UT has converted double-digit threes and the 10 treys were the most since the Vols knocked down the same figure against Army West Point on Nov. 24.

Four players knocked down two 3-pointers on Saturday night: Armani Moore (2-for-2), Detrick Mostella (2-for-3), Devon Baulkman (2-for-5), Kevin Punter (2-for-6).

Offensive Highlights

Trailing by 16 at the break, Tennessee outscored Gonzaga 28-10 over the first 10:17 of the second half to take the lead. Armani Moore sparked and Devon Baulkman sparked the rally with 10 points each and the duo combined to knock down three 3-pointers during the spurt.

Sophomore guard Detrick Mostella came off the bench to score 13 points in 13 minutes, including 10 crucial points in the second half. His 13 points mark a season-high.

Devon Baulkman knocked down two 3-pointers en route to 17 points for the game. He has now hit a three in nine consecutive contests for UT. His 36 minutes played were the most on the team.

Senior forward Armani Moore has now scored in double figures in three consecutive games after being held in single digits during two games at the Barlcays Center Classic last month. After his 16-point performance on Saturday night, Moore is averaging 16.3 ppg over his last three ballgames.

Moore Blocked Shots

Armani Moore blocked the 98th shot of his career early in the first half, pushing him into sole possession of 13th place on Tennessee's all-time blocked shots list.

He passed former Vol Jordan McRae (97) and now trailes Brandon Crump (107) for 12th.

Up Next

Tennessee returns to Thompson-Boling Arena on Tuesday, Dec. 22 as it closes out its pre-Christmas schedule. The game is the penultimate non-conference game on the 2015-16 schedule.

Tipoff for that contest is slated for 7 p.m. ET and live streaming will be available online through SEC Network +.

The Volunteers are 14-2 all-time against the Buccaneers.

Tennessee concludes non-conference play on Tuesday, Dec. 29 when it plays host to Tennessee State.

University of Tennessee Athletics