Tennessee's Meighan Simmons drives in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Chattanooga on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013, in Knoxville.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Ariel Massengale scored 16 points and No. 4 Tennessee beat Chattanooga 80-56 on Thursday night in the Lady Vols' home opener.

After a low-energy first half, Tennessee (3-0) went into the paint to start the second and drew three quick fouls by Chattanooga (1-1). Massengale opened the half with a quick 3-pointer and four free throws during a 12-2 run that put the Lady Vols up 44-34 with 16:59 left.

A minute later, Meighan Simmons wrestled the ball from the hands of Taylor Hall and dished it to Bashaara Graves, whose layup pushed the lead to 48-36. Massengale hit another 3 and Jasmine Jones made a layup for Tennessee, and the Lady Mocs never recovered.

Mercedes Russell added 15 points for the Lady Vols, while Graves scored 11 and Simmons had 10.

Ashlen Dewart led Chattanooga with 13 points, Hall scored 12 and Meghan Downes had 11.