KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Ramar Smith led the way with 19 points Wednesday, boosting second-ranked Tennessee to an 89-70 victory over Auburn.
The one-sided win was a tune-up for Tennessee's meeting with No. 1 and unbeaten Memphis this Saturday. Memphis reached 26-0 Wednesday by coasting past Tulane.
Tyler Smith added 13 points and had 13 rebounds for Tennessee (24-2, 11-1 SEC). It was the Volunteers' eighth straight victory and they have produced their best start after 26 games in school history.
Tennessee stormed to a 46-20 halftime lead.
Frank Tolbert scored 24 points to pace Auburn (13-11, 3-8). The Tigers have lost six out of seven.
With Tennessee owning a 14-13 advantage midway through the opening half, the Volunteers embarked on a 21-3 run to take control.
Tennessee's Chris Lofton, who scored 12 points, became the seventh player in NCAA history to reach 400 three-pointers in a career. He holds the SEC record with 402.
