Javonte Smart scored 21 points as defending Southeastern Conference champion LSU withstood Tennessee’s 3-point barrage and opened its league schedule with a 78-64 road victory over the Volunteers. Tennessee (8-5) lost for the fourth time in its last five games despite shooting 13 of 26 from 3-point range. Skylar Mays scored 17 points and Trendon Watford had 15 for LSU. The Tigers shot 60% from the floor in the second half. Yves Pons and Santiago Vescovi had 18 points each for Tennessee. Vescovi is a freshman point guard from Uruguay who was making his Tennessee debut.
