Whew.
The Tennessee Volunteers survived a late second half rally from the 3 seed Virginia Cavaliers to win 79-72 on Sunday evening in Philadelphia and advance to the Sweet Sixteen.
Tennessee was led by Ja’Kobi Gillespie, who totaled 21 points and six assists. Nate Ament added 16 points and four rebounds.
Tennessee started off strong offensively, taking a 10-8 lead into the first media timeout. Then, after Virginia took a 20-16 lead, Tennessee went on a 12-0 run to take the lead — a spot the Vols found
themselves in for most of the game — 28-20. Bishop Boswell, who knocked down three big treys on the day, hit one to extend the lead back to 35-27 after Virginia got back into the game. Jaylen Carey also had some important baskets in the paint after J.P. Estrella got two very early fouls and sat for the rest of the half. The Vols took a 36-29 lead into the locker room.
Ament got the Vols going in the second half with their first eight points on two baskets and four free throws, but the game remained tight through the first ten minutes of the half, with Tennessee getting the lead up to nine at 60-51, but Virginia kept the game in shouting range.
Then, Virginia woke up and got hot. After a technical foul on Virginia’s Sam Lewis for shoving Estrella in the back, Thijs de Ridder knocked down a three to cut the lead to 63-58 with Dallin Hall driving for a layup the next time down. Boswell knocked down another three to push the lead out for a few moments, but two free throws by De Ridder tied it up.
Then, after Tennessee took a 70-68 lead, De Ridder knocked down another three, and Virginia had their first lead at 71-70 with two minutes left in the game since the 10-minute mark of the first half.
Ament drove the ball and drew a foul, knocking both free throws down to regain the lead at 72-71 with a minute and a half left. Hall missed a midrange shot, and Okpara came down with the rebound. After Boswell was fouled hard leaping for a loose ball, he made one of two free throws for a 73-71 lead. Virginia missed the next time down, and the ball went out off a Virginia player’s fingertips with under 30 seconds left. UVA challenged, but the call was upheld. Gillespie got the inbound and was fouled. He would make six free throws down the stretch to salt it away.
With the win, Tennessee now has made the Sweet Sixteen in each of their last four seasons. They will play Iowa State next week for a trip to the Elite Eight.
Enjoy it, Tennessee fans. Vol hoops continues for at least another week.
