KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 9 (UPI) -- JaJuan Smith and Ramar Smith scored 14 points each Friday night in helping No. 7 Tennessee pull away late in the first half and defeat Temple, 80-63.
In one of the most attractive match-ups on the first full night of the college basketball season, the Volunteers ran their home winning streak to 17 games.
Temple battled Tennessee to a 14-14 tie with 11:45 remaining in the first half, but the Vols closed out the opening period on a 23-8 run. Tennessee led by as many as 20 in the second half.
Chris Lofton, a candidate for player-of-the-year honors this season, scored 10 points for Tennessee, which improved to 30-2 at home under the guidance of third-year coach Bruce Pearl.
The Owls -- who shot just 36 percent from the field and made only four of 20 three-point attempts -- were paced by Dionte Christmas with 12 points.
