Vols win 17th straight game, 72-60 over Missouri

Tennessee guard Jordan Bone (0) attempts to steal the ball from Missouri guard Xavier Pinson (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee guard Jordan Bone (0) attempts to steal the ball from Missouri guard Xavier Pinson (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP photo/Wade Payne)
photo Tennessee forward Yves Pons (35) dunks the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Missouri Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP photo/Wade Payne)

KNOXVILLE - Tennessee wasn't going to let Missouri get close enough Tuesday night to give the Tigers a chance to steal a road win. By that same token, the Tigers weren't going to let the top-ranked Volunteers run away and hide like they have against so many opponents this season.

For Tennessee, it was a win - by the tough variety.

The Vols used a big first-half run to build a halftime lead, then were able to keep the Tigers at bay in posting their 17th consecutive win, a 72-60 Southeastern Conference victory at Thompson-Boling Arena. Tennessee (21-1, 9-0) hosts Florida on Saturday at 4 p.m.

"I think you have to give these guys credit: They have done the work and put it in," Tennessee coach Rick Barnes said of his players. "Now we are getting towards the end of the regular season and we are halfway to the end of conference season. It is only going to get tougher, and I think they know that.

photo Missouri forward Jeremiah Tilmon (23) works for a shot as he's defended by Tennessee forward Kyle Alexander (11) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP photo/Wade Payne)

"We have been a really good road team - they really bond and come together. We have to get that same kind of demeanor at home, too. I think we had that tonight, and we won."

Tennessee limited the Tigers to 35 percent shooting, and the SEC's top 3-point-shooting team made only eight of 27 3-point attempts.

The Vols shot 49 percent from the field and committed only eight turnovers, with only one in the second half. Missouri (11-10, 2-7) was able to hang close by limiting the number of possessions the Vols had, and limiting the quality of looks on those possessions. The 26 field goals Tennessee made matched the second-fewest in a game this season. The fewest was 19 made in a 66-53 win over Georgia Tech on Nov. 13.

Grant Williams and Admiral Schofield led Tennessee with 13 points each. Schofield had his first multiple-3s game since facing iArkansas on Jan. 15, knocking down three. Jordan Bowden had 12 points and six rebounds, while Jordan Bone had 11 points and seven assists. Lamonte Turner had nine points and six assists, and Kyle Alexander had six points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots.

The Vols could not quite pull away from the tough, pesky Tigers, directed by former Tennessee coach Cuonzo Martin. The hosts' largest lead was 15 - a lead they held four times - and that wasn't until late in the game when they finally were able to overwhelm Missouri with their offense.

The Vols, buoyed by an 18-2 run midway through the opening half, took a 37-31 lead into the locker room.

They shot 52 percent in the first 20 minutes but struggled some with ball security, and the miscues led to a 7-0 Missouri spurt to end the half. The Tigers then cut the lead to four twice in the second half, but Tennessee responded with an 11-0 run for a margin that, while often substantial, was never comfortable until late.

Missouri was led by Javon Pickett's 12 points on 5-for-18 shooting. Jordan Geist had 11 while Xavier Pinson had 10.

Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenley3 or at Facebook.com/VolsUpdate.

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