Recap: Tennessee vs. Savannah State

Knoxville, TN (Sports Network) - Jarnell Stokes scored 13 points to lead the balanced attack of the top-seeded Tennessee Volunteers as they topped the Savannah State Tigers, 65-51, in the first round of the National Invitational Tournament at Thompson-Boiling Arena.

Trae Golden added 11 points for Tennessee (19-14), while Yemi Makanjuola and Josh Richardson netted 10 points each. Cameron Tatum grabbed nine rebounds in the winning effort for the Volunteers, who will advance to face the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders in the next round.

Rashad Hassan paced Savannah State with 20 points and 14 rebounds. Preston Blackman added 14 points and five assists for the eighth-seeded Tigers.

The Volunteers took a 32-24 lead into halftime after they shot 42.3 percent from the floor and converted 7-of-9 at the charity stripe in the opening period. Savannah State managed to make only 31.3 percent of its field goals in the first half.

The Tigers could not manage to come back after the break as they shot 34.4 percent from the field and missed all four of their three-point attempts in the second half. Tennessee made 12-of-18 from the free throw line in the final 20 minutes.

The Volunteers never trailed despite attempting 14 less field goals in the contest.