Recap: Tennessee vs. UNC-Asheville

Bayamon, PR (Sports Network) - Jarnell Stokes recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds on Thursday, as Tennessee downed UNC-Asheville, 75-68, in a first-round matchup at the Puerto Rico tip-off from Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez.

Trae Golden and Kenny Hall added 14 points apiece, while Jordan McRae and Josh Richardson each donated 12 points for the Volunteers (2-0), who opened the season with a 76-67 win over Kennesaw State last Friday.

Tennessee advances to take on Oklahoma State on Friday after the Cowboys defeated Akron earlier on Thursday.

Jeremy Atkinson poured in 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Bulldogs (1-2), who have lost all nine of their matchups with Tennessee.

UNC-Asheville held a 20-19 edge with 8:42 left in the first half, but Tennessee ripped off an 11-2 surge and carried a 38-28 advantage into the locker room.

Tennessee's advantage reached 17 less than five minutes into the second half thanks to four straight points from Stokes.

The Bulldogs trailed by double-digits throughout the second half until a quick 5-0 spurt late in the half trimmed the deficit to 66-58, but the Volunteers made enough free throws down the stretch to hang on for the victory.