The Alabama State Hornets entered Thompson Boling Arena as 30 point underdogs against Tennessee, but early on, they were unfazed by the more talented Volunteer squad. Helping Alabama State’s cause was the fact that the Volunteers couldn’t buy a bucket in the first 14 minutes of the game.
Tennessee started an icy 38 percent from the field, which included a 1-8 start from the three-point stripe. Jordan Bowden, Lamonte Turner and Yves Pons were getting good looks at the basket, but they weren’t falling early on.
The Hornets capitalized, despite a poor shooting percentage themselves.