University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
8-7, 1-2SEC
Texas A&M
13-2, 3-0SEC
Vols' Upset Bid Comes Up Short Against Aggies
January 09, 2016 | Men's Basketball
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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The Thompson-Boling Arena magic looked for more than 37 minutes as if it would continue for another game for Tennessee, but a 13-1 run late in the second half led the No. 21 Texas A&M Aggies to a 92-88 win over the Volunteers on Saturday afternoon.
Tennessee led by eight points at halftime and as many as 13 in the second half. The advantage ranged from six to 10 points throughout the second period until the A&M run.
Detrick Mostella, who scored 11 points on the afternoon, had his 3-point attempt that would have given the Vols the lead with under 10 seconds left in the game rim out, sealing the win for A&M.
Mostella scored 11 points, one of six Volunteers in double figures. Kevin Punter Jr. led Tennessee with 19 points, 17 coming in the second half. Admiral Schofield scored 16, Shembari Phillips poured in a career-high 15, Devon Baulkman had 11 and Robert Hubbs III 10.
Jalen Jones led the Aggies with 27 points, including the go-ahead basket with 1:28 to play. Danuel House added 23, while Alex Caruso scored 13 and Tyler Davis 11.
The Vols return to action Wednesday night at 7 p.m. as they face the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens, a game that can be seen on the SEC Network.
Freshmen Explosion: The youth movement was in full effect on Saturday afternoon with Tennessee's newcomers accounting for 31 points on the day, including 21 of UT's 46 in the first half.
It was the highest scoring output for the Vol freshmen this season, surpassing the 24 scored against No. 18 Butler on Dec. 12. Schofield led the charge with 16 points on 6-for-9 shooting, including 3-of-6 from long range, the third time in the last three games he has scored 16 points or more.
The Vols had two freshmen score in double figures in the same game for the first time this season with Schofield and the career-best 15 points from Phillips.
Home Win Streak Snapped:The loss was the first for the Vols at home this season, breaking an 8-0 start to the year. Tennessee's eight-game home win streak was its longest since earning 10 straight victories spanning the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons.
From Downtown: Tennessee hit 12 3-pointers on the afternoon, the second-highest total of the season. The Vols hit 13 against Gardner-Webb on Nov. 22. Tennessee, who finished the game 12-of-27 from long range, have now made double-digit 3-pointers four times this season.
Up Next: The Vols travel to Athens to continue SEC play against Georgia on Wednesday, Jan. 13. Tip is set for 7 p.m. and the game will air on the SEC Network. Tennessee is 56-15 all-time against the Bulldogs, including 33 wins in Athens.
