KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee competed in the quarterfinal of the Maui Invitational against Syracuse on Monday.
The Vol’s starting five were Santiago Vescovi, Jahmai Mashack, Dalton Knecht, Josiah-Jordan James and Jonas Aidoo. Early in the game, Tobe Awaka injured his right ankle and did not return to the game.
Dalton Knecht sank a three-pointer to start the scoring, putting Tennessee up 3-0 early on.
Things started to slow down soon after, and the Vols went on a three-minute drought without a single bucket. Knecht doing Knecht things went on a 6-0 run all by himself with 7:45 left in the half, and soon after, knocked down another three to tie up the game, 24-24.
On Tennessee’s next possession, a missed dunk from Jordan Gainey gave Josiah-Jordan James the offensive rebound, eventually slamming the dunk in himself. Tennessee took the lead 26-24. They remained in the lead from that point on.
After a nice pull-up jumper from Zakai Zeigler, the Vols increased their lead at half, 30-25. Jonas Aidoo’s early slam dunk in the second period put the Vols up by ten points.
Knecht was leading with 17 points at this time but did not play the majority of the half due to cramping issues.
Syracuse went on a 10-2 run with about 14 minutes left, putting the team just three points behind the Vols, 38-35.
At the ten-minute mark, Tennessee had turned the ball over 13 times, allowing Syracuse to excel offensively and keep the score close most of the second half.
Things started to pick up in the last six minutes, and the vets took over with Knecht on the bench.
Josiah Jordan James and Jonas Aidoo recorded double-doubles for the team. James notched 15 points and 12 rebounds, while Aidoo picked up 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Aidoo has also now had at least one block in all four Tennessee games this season.
Tennessee beat Syracuse by 17 points, 73-56.
UT will play Purdue in Tuesday's semi-final matchup. Game time is at 8 p.m. on ESPN.
