Recap: Tennessee vs. Miss State

Knoxville, TN (Sports Network) - Jarnell Stokes scored 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds -- both game-highs -- as the Tennessee Volunteers knocked off the Mississippi State Bulldogs, 72-57, in Southeastern Conference play at Thompson-Boling Arena.

Josh Richardson added 16 points to help the Volunteers (9-7, 1-3 SEC) earn their first conference victory and snap a four-game slide. Jordan McRae scored 12 points, Trae Golden tallied 10 points and nine assists, and Armani Moore (four points) posted 11 boards and four assists off the bench.

Jalen Steele scored 15 points and reserve Fred Thomas added 14 for the Bulldogs (7-9, 2-2). Craig Sword rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points in a losing effort.

Tennessee shot a healthy 51.7 percent from the floor in the first half to claim a 37-29 lead at intermission. Richardson scored 11 points in the opening frame and McRae added 10, marking the first time all season UT had two players in double figures by halftime.

The Vols knocked down three consecutive 3-pointers to go up, 48-37 with 14:35 to play in regulation. Later, McRae and Stokes had back-to-back dunks, and Derek Reese followed up with a three to give UT a 16-point cushion with 11:38 remaining.

Tennessee racked up a season-high 19 assists on 28 buckets for the game. The Vols also held a huge 42-16 scoring advantage inside the paint in addition to holding an 18-4 edge in points off turnovers.