ROME — Tennessee used its trademark smothering defense and a balanced offensive attack to defeat Italian professional team A.S. Stella Azzurra, 97-51, Monday at the Stella Azzurra Basketball Academy.
Paired with two wins over the Lithuanian U21 National Team in Florence, Italy, last week, Tennessee concludes its three-game international exhibition tour undefeated at 3-0. The Volunteers’ margin of victory over the three games was 37.3 points per game (103.3 to 66.0).
Fifth-year transfer wing Dalton Knecht was UT’s leading scorer Monday, totaling 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting with four 3-pointers, five rebounds and three assists.
The five other Vols to score in double figures were Jordan Gainey (13), D.J. Jefferson (13), Tobe Awaka (12), Santiago Vescovi (12) and Freddie Dilione V (10).
Vescovi’s night include a 4-of-9 effort from 3-point range as well as a team-high eight assists.
Awaka led the Vols with eight rebounds and shot 5-of-6 from the field.
A.S. Stella Azzurra was led by guard Eylon Poleg, who went 10-for-10 at the free-throw line en route to a game-high 23 points.
Spanning Tennessee’s three games in Italy, Knecht finished as the team’s leading scorer, averaging 16.3 points per game. He shot .529 from the field and .480 from beyond the arc.
Awaka averaged a double-double through the three games—13.7 points and 10.3 rebounds.
Tennessee visited Vatican City Monday before its game. The Vols will tour the famous Colosseum Tuesday before returning to Rocky Top on Wednesday.