KNOXVILLE— Trae Golden came into the game averaging 17.0 points per game during the current homestand, while Jarnell Stokes entered the contest averaging 12.0 points per game during the same span. Despite only five points from Golden and six points from Stokes, the Vols managed to overcome a double-digit second half deficit to defeat Xavier 51-47. The victory over the Musketeers marked the first win for the Vols this season when both Golden and Stokes failed to score in double-figures.

Josh Richardson slices through the lane.
Photo by Reed Carringer

The Vols overcame a poor night from their two leading scorers with a tough defense and a balanced scoring effort. Xavier came into the game ranked in the top 20 nationally in field goal percentage offense; shooting 46.7% from the field for the season. Thanks in large part to an intense Vol defense, the Muskateers were held to just to 32.7% shooting for the game. Semaj Christon, Xavier’s talented freshman and leading scorer, was frustrated all night before fouling out with 17 seconds to play. Vol defensive stopper Josh Richardson blanketed Christon most of the evening and held him to 1-9 shooting and five points (nine below his season average). In addition to shutting Christon down, Richardson led the Vols in scoring with 12 efficient points on 5-6 shooting. He also played a team-high 36 minutes. Cuonzo has been pushing Richardson, not known as a scorer, to be more assertive on offense.

“I always tell him to be aggressive. Once again I go back to my days as a player and I just tell him to play basketball. I won’t tell him what shot to shoot or what play to play. He’s out there playing the ball, in the game and rotation and knows he’s getting some minutes. As long as he’s defending and playing hard that’s fine with me. He knows what he has to do.”

Tennessee received a massive boost from their bench. The Vol reserves outscored their Xavier counterparts 21-9. Jordan McRae led the reserves with eight points on 4-10 shooting while Yemi Makanjoula drew two charges and grabbed eight rebounds in only nine minutes of play. Perhaps the most surprising effort came from Vol freshman Derek Reese. The versatile forward from Puerto Rico made a somewhat unexpected debut after being sidelined with a torn labrum. Reese was initially expected to redshirt after his injury, but recovered quicker than expected.

“There was a point on Tuesday when I was cleared to practice that I thought I might have a chance to come back. I had it in my mind that I would redshirt, but I would push myself to come back and see what I could do. Coach Martin is always telling me to just be ready and work hard every day and that’s what I did.”

Vol freshman Derek Reese looks for a passing lane.
Photo by Reed Carringer

Reese finished with seven big points; six of those coming from beyond the arc. His second three-pointer gave the Vols a 38-35 lead with 8:15 to play; their first lead since the 12:39 mark in the first half.

Though it’s slightly after Christmas, Cuonzo certainly got a late present in Reese’s clearance. He brings a versatile set of skills to a team which has struggled mightily on offense at times.

“I’m glad he was able to come back because we had him on the floor and I think he’s a difference maker. In our offense when you run motion offense, guys like Derek at the 4 position and JeronneMaymon you can facilitate your offense through those guys because Derek can make shots and make plays off the dribble and Jeronne can make plays off the dribble, and your offense flows. When you don’t have guys like that, things can become stagnant on offense, the defense sagging on them. Now, it’s really tough to sag when you’ve got a guy like that who can make shots.”

The Vols continue their homestand against Memphis Friday at 8 p.m.. The game will be televised by ESPN2.