by Lexington, Ky. – Jordan Gainey hurried in and joined Zakai Zigler.
UCLA guard Kobe Johnson was toast, caught by the two Tennessee -basketball protectors on MidCourt. Gainy joined Johnson’s Pass and Chaz Lanier joined the defensive haste. He stole the ball and turned away for a three -point game while the senior half of the Vols was delivered against the Bruins.
No. 2 Seed Tennessee is on the Sweet 16 for the third consecutive season under coach Rick Barnes with a 67-58 victory against no. 7 Seed UCLA in RUPP Arena on Saturday. It is the first time in school history, the Vols have reached three consecutive sweet 16s.
Lanier led De Vols (29-7) with 20 points. Lanier, Zeigler, Gainey and Jahmai Mashack combined for 44 points against UCLA (23-11).
De Vols will play the winner of No. 3 Seed Kentucky (23-11) and no. 6 Seed Illinois (22-12) in Indianapolis on Friday. UT lost both matchups for the regular season on the Wildcats. It defeated Illinois 66-64 on a buzzer in December.
Tennessee Basketball took control late in the first half
Zeigler moved a smooth bouncing through the baseline to Gainy with 2:50 before the break.
Gainey hit a corner 3-guide to start an 8-0 run. The Senior Guard made a few free throws with 40.3 seconds for half. Lanier closed the run with his three -point game that the lead of UT extended to seven.
UCLA scored once from the field in the last 5:27 of the first half.
The big men of Tennessee showed up and recovered
The Vols had a long test with UCLA, but the attackers from Tennessee were excellent rebound. Felix Okpara and Igor Milicic Jr. each had seven rebounds. Cad Phillips had six.
Ut exceeded the Bruins conveniently and changed the attack in early attack when Schoten did not fall.
Chaz Lanier sets Tennessee 3-Pointer record
Lanier waved a 3-Pointer on the 16:07 Mark of the second half for his third 3-piece of the game and his 119th of the season.
The transfer in Noord-Florida passed Chris Lofton and set a new Vols record for 3-Pointers in a season. Lofton, who was a few rows behind the couch in Tennessee, made 118 in the 2007-08 season. In the game, Lanier came with 116 three after making six in the first round against Wofford to bind the UT record for 3-Pointers in a NCAA Toernooimame.
Mike Wilson treats the athletics of the University of Tennessee. E -Mail him on michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @Bymikewilson or bluesky @Bymikewilson.Bsky.social. If you enjoy the coverage of Mike, Consider a digital subscription That gives you access to everything.
