Chaz Lanier helps No. 1 Tennessee beat Norfolk State, remain unbeaten

Field Level Media|published: Tue 31st December, 17:32 2024

Tennessee guard Chaz Lanier (2) during a college basketball game between Tennessee and Norfolk State held at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville, Tenn., on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024.

Chaz Lanier scored 24 points and top-ranked Tennessee never trailed during a 67-52 win over Norfolk State on Tuesday in Knoxville, Tenn.

Lanier made 8 of 18 attempts from the field and shot 6 of 16 from 3-point range, which was an off-night all things considered. Zakai Zeigler added 10 points on 3-of-9 shooting for Tennessee (13-0) and led the team with six assists, while Igor Milicic Jr. grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds while scoring five points.

Christian Ings led Norfolk State (9-7) with 19 points on 8-of-15 shooting, while backcourt mate Brian Moore Jr. added 18 points on 8-of-16 shooting. No other Spartan scored more than seven points.

Tennessee had various opportunities to turn the game into a true rout, but an ice cold 2-of-10 start from 3-point range in the second half allowed Norfolk State to keep the score within 15 points for most of the game. Tennessee eventually broke the ceiling and stretched its lead to 16 points with 5:18 remaining on a thunderous slam dunk by Jordan Gainey, eventually stretching the lead to as many as 20 points.

It was an impressive defensive performance for the Volunteers as they held Norfolk State under 30 points in both halves. Tennessee blocked eight shots as a team, led by Cade Phillips who registered a career high of five on his own. Tennessee also forced 13 Norfolk State turnovers and outscored the Spartans 16-6 in points off turnovers.

Lanier scored 14 of his 24 points in the first half as Tennessee held a 35-28 advantage at the break. Norfolk State trailed by as many as 13 points in the first half, but crawled back within seven with a 12-6 run going into halftime.

Gainey and Phillips also scored 10 points for the Volunteers.

Tennessee made 23 of its 54 attempts (42.6 percent) from the field, finishing 8 of 31 (25.8 percent) from 3-point range after going 3 of 13 in the second half (23.1 percent).

Norfolk State shot 22-of-59 (37.3 percent) from the field and made 2 of its 13 attempts (15.4 percent) from deep. Norfolk State held a 33-31 rebounding edge and Norfolk State and had a 28-26 edge in points in the paint.

--Field Level Media