COL BKB: Tennessee 79, Belmont 77

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 20 (UPI) -- Tyler Smith scored 23 points Saturday to lead the 19th-ranked Tennessee Vols to a closer-than-expected 79-77 win over Belmont.

Bobby Maze's poor free throw shooting nearly cost the Volunteers down the stretch. Tennessee was leading 78-76 with 28.1 seconds to play. Maze missed a pair of foul shots and Alex Renfroe made the second of two free throws at the other end.

After Maze hit 1-of-2 from the line to again make it a two-point game, Renfroe was fouled on a drive to the hoop with 1.3 seconds remaining. Again Renfroe missed the first free throw, and then missed the second on purpose, but the Bruins were unable to get the rebound in time to get another shot.

The Volunteers (8-2) ran their home winning streak to 36 games.

Renfroe led all scorers with 30 points for Belmont (4-4).