Dalton Knecht happily wore his orange SEC Champions cap. He knows, however, that Tennessee's goals don't end with its first Southeastern Conference regular-season title in six years.
Knecht scored 26 points, including a four-point play, as the fourth-ranked Volunteers withstood a late run by No. 17 South Carolina for a 66-59 victory Wednesday night.
The Gamecocks (24-6, 12-5 SEC) cut a 14-point second-half deficit to 59-56 on Meechie Johnson's inside jumper with 1:13 left. But the Vols (24-6, 14-3) made seven free throws the rest of the way to hold on and open a two-game cushion in the SEC with one left.
Tennessee shared the regular-season title six years ago with Auburn. The last time the Vols won it was in 2008.
For Knecht it was a satisfying performance.
“It feels great,” he said of the team's championship. “We did the job, but at the same time, the job is not done. We have the SEC Tournament and the biggest one” in the NCAA.
With Knecht taking shots like he did against South Carolina, Tennessee will be a tough out going forward.
“One thing about Dalton is he's fearless,” Volunteers coach Rick Barnes said. “The guys feed off of it. It gives them confidence.”
Knecht had many moments that gave him confidence. With the Gamecocks trailing 24-22 just before halftime, Knecht hit three 3-pointers in four possessions as the Vols used an 11-2 burst to open a double-digit lead.
After the Gamecocks got within six, Knecht hit his fifth 3-pointer, was fouled and made the free throw.
“That was the first time in a long time,” he said, smiling. “Connect four.”
According to ESPN Stats & Information research, Knecht is the first Tennessee player to record 10 25-point games in a season over the last 25 seasons.
Johnson led South Carolina with 18 points.
The Gamecocks needed a win over Tennessee (they won at Rocky Top in January) to tie for first place in the SEC, a season after going 11-21. They were last chosen in the preseason media poll last October.
Rookie forward Collin Murray-Boyles, who had his second straight double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, said the team was disappointed that its run to a regular-season title fell short.
“It will never be easy” to put that aside, he said. “But we have to focus on the next part.”
Information from The Associated Press was used in this article.
