KNOXVILLE, Tenn., March 9 (UPI) -- Chris Lofton scored 28 points and No. 4 Tennessee used a monstrous 51-19 second half Sunday to rout South Carolina 89-56 in their SEC season finale.
UT started slowly but led 38-37 at the break. The Vols opened the final 20 minutes with an 11-2 run, capped by successive jumpers by Lofton and Duke Crews for a 49-39 lead with 16:34 left and the onslaught continued until the end.
JaJuan Smith had 17 points and four assists for the Volunteers (28-3, 14-2), who registered their 32nd straight home victory -- and their second straight perfect season at Thompson-Boling Arena.
South Carolina's only player in double figures was Mike Holmes with 15 points. Zam Fredrick, Dominique Archie and Evaldas Baniulis all scored nine for the Gamecocks (13-17, 5-11), who have lost five of their last six games.
South Carolina faces LSU Thursday at the SEC Tournament quarterfinals in Atlanta while the Vols have a bye.
