Vols Shake Off Texas Southern to Win Home Debut

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Josh Richardson scored 19 points and pulled down eight rebounds Thursday as Tennessee defeated Texas Southern 70-58 in its first home game under new coach Donnie Tyndall.

The Volunteers (1-1) won their 23rd consecutive home opener and avoided their first 0-2 start since 1965-66. Tennessee had opened the season Friday with an 85-69 loss to No. 15 VCU at Annapolis, Maryland.

Kevin Punter added 13 points, Armani Moore scored 11 and Willie Carmichael had 10 for Tennessee. Punter and Richardson each shot 3 of 5 from 3-point range.

David Blanks scored 14 points, Deverell Biggs had 12 and Chris Thomas added 11 for Texas Southern (0-3).

Texas Southern hung with Tennessee for much of the night and actually led 41-40 when Tonnie Collier’s 3-pointer capped an 8-0 run with 13:21 left. Tennessee went ahead for good on Punter’s 3-pointer with 12:14 remaining and eventually wore down the Tigers.

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