Jonas Aidoo scores 24 to lead No. 5 Tennessee over No. 22 Mississippi 90-64

Advertisement

Advertise with us

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Jonas Aidoo scored 24 points and had 10 rebounds to lead No. 5 Tennessee to a 90-64 victory over No. 22 Mississippi on Saturday night in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams.

Read this article for free:


or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Subscribe and receive a limited-edition Free Press branded hat or tote.

Digital Subscription

One year of digital access for only $205*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/01/2024 (987 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Jonas Aidoo scored 24 points and had 10 rebounds to lead No. 5 Tennessee to a 90-64 victory over No. 22 Mississippi on Saturday night in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams.

Zakai Zeigler contributed 17 points and 10 assists for the Volunteers (11-3, 1-0 Southeastern Conference). Santiago Vescovi added 11 points and Jahmai Mashack scored 10 as Tennessee won for the seventh straight time.

Aidoo was limited to a season-low 11 minutes of action Tuesday against Norfolk State while he nursed a strained calf.

Mississippi guard Austin Nunez (1) battles for the loose ball with Tennessee guard Jordan Gainey (2) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Mississippi guard Austin Nunez (1) battles for the loose ball with Tennessee guard Jordan Gainey (2) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

“I had a long talk with Jonas after practice the other day,” said Tennessee coach Rick Barnes. “I said, ‘You’re so much better than you’re playing. I have really high expectations for you.’”

“It’s great to get a compliment (from Barnes),” said Aidoo. “He’s a hard coach. He wants us to be the best we can be.”

Jaemyn Brakefield scored 22 points as Mississippi (13-1, 0-1) had its season-long winning streak snapped. Jaylen Murray added 11 points and Allen Flanigan had 10 for the Rebels.

“We got kicked today,” said Mississippi coach Chris Beard. “Our whole organization got kicked. Those are some grown men (in the Tennessee locker room).”

Aidoo scored 12 points in the first half to lead the Vols to a 40-31 lead at intermission. Tennessee hit just one of their first 12 3-point attempts but finished 5 of 16. Mashack hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to send Tennessee to the locker room with momentum. They went 9 of 18 from 3-point range after the sluggish start.

“We were missing shots early, but I like that we were still taking them,” Barnes said. “You talk about confidence that those shots are going to fall.”

Tennessee finished the game with 19 offensive rebounds and 22 second-chance points.

“The first half, we let a 3-point shooter get away at the buzzer,” Beard said. “The second half was a different side of the coin. They were more physical and more competitive.”

THE TAKEAWAY

Mississippi: After having its 13-game winning streak snapped, the Rebels must regroup to get back on track. They are averaging more than 77 points a game, their best offensive production in seven years. Tennessee’s lock-down defense was a problem for Mississippi.

Tennessee: The primary focus for coach Rick Barnes all season has been consistency. With a veteran core unit, finding consistent performance on both ends of the floor may be easier to achieve this season than it has been in the past.

Tennessee forward Jonas Aidoo (0) goes for a dunk over Mississippi guard Allen Flanigan (7) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee forward Jonas Aidoo (0) goes for a dunk over Mississippi guard Allen Flanigan (7) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

NEXT UP

Mississippi: Opens its SEC home schedule against Florida on Wednesday.

Tennessee: Visits Mississippi State on Wednesday.

___

Get poll alerts and updates on AP Top 25 basketball throughout the season. Sign up here.

___

AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

Report Error Submit a Tip

Uncategorized

LOAD UNCATEGORIZED ARTICLES