LOUISVILLE, Ky. − Zakai Zeigler let it fly with Tennessee basketball‘s once gargantuan lead shriveling at Louisville.
Zeigler’s 3-pointer from the oversized centercourt logo was pure. UT’s nine-point lead returned to 12 then got back to 22 as the Vols took a flamethrower to Louisville’s comeback dreams.
The Vols bullied Louisville, throwing defense and backbreaking 3-pointers in a 77-55 win at KFC Yum! Center on Saturday.
Zeigler had 19 points for the No. 12 Vols (2-0), including three second-half 3-pointers after Louisville (1-1) got within nine. Chaz Lanier also had 19 points. He scored five during a 12-2 run to retake control.
Tennessee took control with bullying defense
Jahmai Mashack saw an alley-oop coming in the opening minutes and dashed to deflect it.
The Vols were stifling defensively against the Cardinals. They forced turnovers on Louisville’s first three possessions and four in the first three minutes. They dominated the interior and the Cardinals took 23 first-half 3-pointers among 33 field-goal attempts.
Louisville shot 21.7% on 3-pointers and 24.2% from the field in the first half.
The Vols owned the paint
Tennessee controlled the paint against the Cardinals, owning the rebounding battle and scoring inside.
The Vols had 40-10 scoring edge in the paint in the first half. They outrebounded Louisville 40-26. The rebounding response was significant after UT was outrebounded 32-29 in its season-opening win against Gardner-Webb.
Zakai Zeigler had turnovers problems
Louisville guard Chucky Hepburn stole the ball from Zeigler at midcourt late in the first half to start a runout three-point play.
It was Zeigler’s ninth first-half turnover. His prior career high was six in a game, which he did three times with two last season. He had five turnovers in the final 4:17 of the half, which sparked a 10-4 Louisville run to close the half.
Zeigler limited his turnovers in the second half, finishing with 11. He controlled the second half and was at his best when Tennessee needed a burst following Louisville’s second-half push.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
