March 20, 2010
JP Prince scored 18 points and Scotty Hopson had 17 to lead sixth-seeded Tennessee to an 83-68 victory over Ohio on Saturday and give the Vols their third Sweet 16 berth in four years. The other starters pitched in, too: Brian Williams and Wayne Chism had 12 rebounds apiece, and Bobby Maze had nine assists.
But Pearl wanted them to share the celebration with the reserves who filled in after a New Year's Day gun, drug and alcohol bust left Tennessee with just six scholarship players.
The Vols took the lead with an 18-2 run that started with 12 minutes left in the first half, turning a two-point deficit into a 14-point lead. Ohio kept firing 3-pointers -- they tried 26 in the game, making 10 -- but never got any closer than 50-45 on Freeman's 3-pointer with 13 minutes to play.
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