The Tennessee Volunteers survived their first nail biter of the season, and they did it in thrilling fashion in a hostile environment. Guard Jordan Gainey drove and got a contested layup to bounce around and fall as the clock hit all zeroes, and Tennessee won 66-64 over Illinois on Saturday night in Champaign, Illinois.
UNREAL FINISH
VOLS WINNNNNNNN pic.twitter.com/7KhizezTW2
— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) December 15, 2024
Gainey came off the bench to post a game-high 23 points on 6-14 shooting, including a super clutch 18 points in the second half. Igor Milicic, Jr. had a game-high 14 rebounds to go with 7 points. Chaz Lanier added 17 points on 5-17 shooting.
The Vols started off slow, looking a step slower and less physical than the Illini, who cruised out to a 7-0 lead out of the gate. However, Tennessee eventually got their sea legs and took their first lead of the game at 18-17. The first half devolved into a foul fest, with both teams reaching the double bonus with several minutes left to play. Tennessee would take a 31-30 lead into the locker room.
However, the whistle continued at the same rate for the Vols, but not for the Illini in the second half. Tennessee hit the double bonus late in the second half at the same time that Illinois had just four fouls. Lanier fouled out with about 5 minutes left in the game, taking the Vols’ best scorer off the court in what had been a relative rock fight.
However, Tennessee got just enough big shots to stay with Illinois. Gainey splashed a three to even the game with 2:27 to go. Then, with a minute and a half left, Milicic broke the tie with a nifty steal and finish to put Tennessee ahead.
Zakai Zeigler would join Lanier on the bench with five seconds after being whistled for a foul for apparently not moving out of the way and giving the Illinois player a free lane to the basket with Tennessee up one. Illinois’ Kasparas Jakucionis would miss the first but make the second to even the game at 64.
Gainey took the inbounds pass and sprinted up the floor, cutting into the lane and attacking the basket. He released the ball, which bounced off the backboard, the rim, and rolled through the basket as the clock hit all zeroes.
The win was a big one for Tennessee, who moved to 10-0 for the first time since the 1999-2000 season. It’s also another big non-conference win that should be a nice feather in their cap come Selection Sunday.