KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Jordan McRae and Skylar McBee led a balanced Tennessee attack with 14 points each as the Volunteers defeated Kennesaw State 76-67 Friday night at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Tennessee led by as many as 27 points midway through the second half, but the Owls battled back down the stretch. But the Volunteers went 13 of 19 from the free-throw line in the second half to put the game away.
The Owls could not slow down the Volunteers, who seemed to hit nearly every shot they took.
Tennessee shot 60.5 percent from the field, including 70.8 percent in the first half, while holding Kennesaw State 46.2 percent for the contest.
Kenny Hall scored 13 and Jarnell Stokes added 10 for the Vols. It was Tennessee's 14th consecutive season-opening victory.
Delbert Love and Aaron Anderson led Kennesaw State with 16 points each.
