KNOXVILLE, Tenn., March 5 (UPI) -- In his final home game Wednesday night, forward Ron Slay scored seven of his 17 points in the first eight minutes as Tennessee knocked off Mississippi State, 59-49.
Slay, saying goodbye to the fans at Thompson-Boling Arena, was one of five seniors to start for the Volunteers (16-10, 8-7 SEC East), who snapped a four-game losing streak.
After the teams traded baskets to open the game, Tennessee went on a 13-1 run to take a 15-3 lead with 12:05 left. The Volunteers maintained a 27-21 lead at halftime, and never surrendered the edge in the second half.
The Bulldogs (18-8, 8-7 West) suffered their third loss in four games as they limp towards next week's SEC tournament. Mario Austin and Timmy Bowers, who average a combined 30 points per game for Mississippi State, were held to 13 and eight, respectively.
Sophomore Brandon Crump, Tennessee's second-leading scorer behind Slay, came off the bench to add 16 points, and freshman C.J. Watson chipped in with 10 points and five assists.
