COL BKB: Tennessee 99, North Car. A&T 78

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Tyler Smith helped Tennessee to a quick start Wednesday and the No. 14 Volunteers romped past North Carolina A&T 99-78.

Tennessee scored the game's first 21 points, five of those coming from Smith. He finished with 16 points, six rebounds and four steals in helping the Volunteers improve to 9-2.

Kenny Hall also scored 16, Skyler McBee had 12 and J.P. Prince added 10 for the Volunteers. Tennessee bounced back from a 22-point loss to USC Saturday and won for the fifth time in six games.

Tennessee built a 41-15 lead late in the first half and had a 55-27 advantage at the break.

North Carolina A&T (4-8) was led by Dwane Joshua with 20 points.