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Unselfish Tennessee basketball handles first big test against Washington in Toronto

Mike Wilson
Knoxville

TORONTO — Rick Barnes had his concerns about Tennessee basketball’s first major test this season Saturday against Washington.

But potential issues with the Huskies’ zone defense and size advantage — led by a pair of five-star freshmen — never really transpired in Toronto.

Instead, the Vols picked up where they left off Tuesday night against Murray State with unselfish play highlighted by Lamonte Turner and strong shooting from Jordan Bowden and Yves Pons.

The Vols assisted on all 15 first-half field goals, while the Bowden-Pons duo continued their impressive start to lead UT to a 75-62 win against Washington in the James Naismith Classic. 

Bowden had 18 points and Pons had 15, while John Fulkerson chipped in 14 for the No. 25 Vols (3-0) to beat Washington (2-1).

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Turner had 16 points, eight assists and seven rebounds as he was named the MVP of the game days after a 14-assist, zero-turnover outing.

Powerful start

Tennessee Volunteers guard Jordan Bowden (23) shoots over Washington Huskies forward Isaiah Stewart (33) in Toronto on Nov. 16, 2019.

Tennessee had a rough first half against Murray State on Tuesday in Knoxville, falling behind by double-digits.

The Vols didn’t have any such problems Saturday starting the game. UT fell behind by one twice in the opening minutes before bolting past the Huskies behind great shooting. 

Tennessee shot 5-of-8 from 3-point range and 56 percent from the field, while holding a double-figure lead for stretches. 

Turner and Bowden got the shooting barrage started with a pair of 3-pointers. Another Bowden 3-pointer capped a 7-0 run that put Tennessee ahead 25-13. 

Bowden hot streak

Bowden keyed the first half for Tennessee, scoring 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting with three 3-pointers.

The senior guard combined for 34 points spanning the second half against Murray State — when he had an incredible run with 19 points and five 3-pointers — and the first half against Washington. 

Josiah-Jordan James finds a little something

Washington made a run early in the second half, trimming Tennessee’s lead to 50-43.

Freshman Josiah-Jordan James, who Barnes thought has been pressing after missing time with an injury in October, buried a deep 3-pointer from the wing to end the run. 

The freshman played the entire second half, scoring seven of his nine points. He made all four field-goal attempts and finished with five assists and four rebounds.

Up next

Tennessee faces Alabama State at 7 p.m. ET Wednesday at Thompson-Boling Arena.

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