NASHVILLE, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- JaJuan Smith scored 19 points Saturday in 11th-ranked Tennessee's 88-82 victory over Western Kentucky in the Sun Belt Classic at Nashville.
Trailing by six at halftime, Western Kentucky pulled ahead 52-51 in the second half on Mike Walker's lay-up with a little more than four minutes gone. The Volunteers answered with a 14-2 run for a 66-54 lead with a little under 12 minutes to play.
The Hilltoppers pulled within 79-78, but never led.
Tennessee freshman Brian Williams recorded his first career double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Tyler Smith also scored 16, while Chris Lofton scored 14 off the bench for the Vols (9-1), who have won four in a row.
Courtney Lee led WKU with a game-high 23 points and six rebounds. Tyrone Brazelton scored 16 points, and Ty Rogers added 15 for the Hilltoppers (7-3), whose modest two-game winning streak ended.
