KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Graduate guard Sir'Jabari Rice recorded a season-high 21 points, but No. 10/10 Texas (17-4, 6-2 Big 12) dropped an 81-71 decision at No. 4/4 Tennessee (18-3, 7-1 SEC) on Saturday night at Thompson-Boling Arena. The contest was part of the 10th annual SEC/Big 12 Challenge.
UT dropped to 10-3 under the leadership of Interim Head Coach Rodney Terry. The Longhorns registered a 44-3 advantage in bench scoring and a 16-2 margin in fast-break points, but the Volunteers recorded a plus-15 rebound margin (38-23) and a 40-28 edge in points in the paint.