KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Dalton Knecht scored a career-high 39 points and had eight rebounds to lead No. 6 Tennessee past Florida 85-66 on Tuesday.
Jonas Aidoo scored 19 points and a team-high 10 rebounds to help the Volunteers (13-4, 3-1 Southeastern Conference) earn their 12th straight home win.
“Any time Jonas is aggressive and focused, it's a big factor,” Tennessee coach Rick Barnes said. “The guys are starting to understand where they need the ball.”
Knecht averaged 32 points in two games last week and earned SEC Co-Player of the Week honors. He is the first SEC player with 75 points in a two-game span since Jodie Meeks for Kentucky in January 2009, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. Meeks had a 54-point game in that span.
“I just play with confidence,” Knecht said. “It's a lot easier with my teammates. It's a lot of hard work. My teammates make it super easy.”
Knecht was 13 of 23 overall, including 4 of 6 on 3-pointers, and made all nine of his free throws.
“He's been doing that to everyone,” Florida coach Todd Golden said. “He did a lot in transition and broken plays. We weren't good enough to protect the rim.”
The Gators (11-6, 1-3), who haven't won in Knoxville since 2014, were led by Walter Clayton Jr. with 16 points and Riley Kugel with 12. Tyrese Samuel had 10 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. and Zyon Pullin scored 11.
“I thought we had our opportunities at the rim,” Golden said. “We don't match their physicality. (The Vols) play with home advantage.”
Florida was held to 29% shooting from the field (20 of 68).
“They're an outstanding offensive team,” Barnes said of the Gators. “They're one of the fastest teams in the country. When you keep a team at 29%, you're doing a good job.”
Knecht was 9 of 10 from the field, including three 3-pointers, and scored 22 points in the first half as Tennessee took a 44-32 halftime lead. A 12-3 run midway through the half gave the Vols some breathing room. Kugel had 10 to lead the Gators at the half.
“We feed off the crowd,” says Knecht. “It all starts with our defense: stopping and scoring.”
Florida was unable to make up the deficit.
“You don't want to fall behind against this team,” Golden said. “They are very disciplined. They are not going to make mistakes.”
The match started two hours early due to dangerous weather conditions.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
