Box ScoreKNOXVILLE, Tenn.- Tennessee defeated Texas Southern 70-58 on Thursday as the Volunteers won their 23rd consecutive home opener.
David Blanks scored 14 points, Deverell Biggs had 12 and Chris Thomas added 11 for Texas Southern (0-3).
Texas Southern hung with Tennessee for much of the night and actually led 41-40 when Tonnie Collier's 3-pointer capped an 8-0 run with 13:21 left. Tennessee went ahead for good on a 3-pointer with 12:14 remaining.
Texas Southern gave Tennessee all they could handle in the first half of play. The Vols took their first lead 12 minutes into the game and the score was tied 30-30 at halftime. The game featured eight ties and seven lead changes before the Vols claimed the lead down the stretch.
