KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP)—Scotty Hopson scored a career-high 21 points and Tennessee beat Mississippi State 81-76 on Wednesday night.
Hopson, a freshman who had verbally committed to playing at Mississippi State before signing with Tennessee, hit a jumper with 3:40 to go to give the Vols (17-10, 8-5 Southeastern Conference) a 68-57 lead, their largest of the game.
Mississippi State’s sharp-shooting guards used 3-point baskets to whittle Tennessee’s lead down, and a trey by Barry Stewart cut the Vols’ margin to 77-74 with 31 seconds left. But it was as close as the Bulldogs would get.
Bobby Maze added 14 points for Tennessee, Tyler Smith had 13 and Wayne Chism 12.
Stewart led Mississippi State (17-11, 7-6) with 20 points.
The Vols have now won five straight over the Bulldogs, who had entered the game undefeated against the SEC East.
