Tennessee Cruises Past Gardner-Webb with Balanced Attack and Bench Depth
Tennessee took care of business Sunday afternoon in Knoxville, avoiding the kind of sluggish performance that can sneak up on teams right before the holidays. The Vols shook off a slow start and steamrolled Gardner-Webb, 94-52, in a game that showcased their depth, defensive focus, and improved ball control.
Let’s break down what stood out in the Vols’ final home game before Christmas.
A Slow Start, Then a 24-2 Avalanche
These pre-holiday “buy games” can be tricky. Energy isn’t always there at tipoff, and that was the case early for Tennessee.
The Vols missed their first few shots, gave up a couple of offensive rebounds, and found themselves down 5-0 before they found their rhythm. But once they did, they hit the gas and never looked back.
Tennessee responded with a dominant 24-2 run that completely flipped the game. The shots started falling, the defense tightened up, and Gardner-Webb couldn’t keep up. By halftime, the Vols had built a commanding 52-19 lead.
What made the difference? The defensive intensity.
Even with a lopsided score, Tennessee didn’t let up. They stayed locked in on that end, rotating well, contesting shots, and limiting second chances.
That kind of focus, especially in a blowout, says a lot about the maturity of this group.
Bench Mob Delivers in a Big Way
Rick Barnes didn’t wait long to go deep into his bench, and the reserves made the most of the opportunity. Tennessee got 52 points from its bench, a continuation of the depth we saw earlier in the week against Louisville.
Amaree Abram was a standout, going 6-for-7 from the field for 15 points and adding three steals. He brought energy on both ends and looked comfortable in his role. Jaylen Carey and JP Estrella both hit double figures as well, giving the Vols a strong inside-out presence off the bench.
But two names that really popped: Amari Evans and Troy Henderson.
Evans continued his upward trajectory with another solid outing. He helped spark Tennessee’s first-half run with his activity on both ends, finishing with six points, three rebounds, and three steals. He’s starting to carve out a role as a two-way energizer who can swing momentum.
Henderson, meanwhile, found his shooting touch after a slow start to the season. The freshman guard knocked down three triples and added a pair of assists and rebounds. For a guy who’s been trying to find his rhythm, this was a confidence-building performance.
Clean Game from the Point Guard Spot
Turnovers have been a sore spot for Tennessee this season, but Sunday was another step in the right direction. After a solid showing against Louisville, the Vols kept it clean again - just nine turnovers on the day, marking only their third single-digit turnover game of the season.
Ja’Kobi Gillespie was steady at the controls. The sophomore point guard dished out nine assists and turned it over only three times, showing poise and control in his decision-making. He pushed the pace when it was there, but didn’t force anything - exactly what you want from your lead guard in a game like this.
As a team, Tennessee finished with 21 assists to just nine giveaways. That kind of ratio is going to win you a lot of games, especially when paired with the kind of defensive effort the Vols brought to the floor.
What’s Next
With the win, Tennessee heads into the Christmas break on a high note. They’ll get a full eight days off before returning to action on December 30 against South Carolina State - their final non-conference matchup before SEC play begins.
If this team continues to get this kind of production from its bench, stays sharp defensively, and keeps the turnovers down, they’re going to be a tough out come January and beyond.