The University of Tennessee men's basketball team turned a five-point second-half deficit into a 12-point lead en route to an 86-79 victory over No. 20/18 Illinois in a top-20 showdown Saturday afternoon at Food City Center.
Fifth-year guard Dalton Knecht scored a team-high 21 points, including 13 after halftime, to lead No. 17/13 Tennessee (6-3) to victory in front of a sold-out crowd.
The Vols had four other players in double figures, including Santiago Vescovi, who had one of his best efforts of the season. He finished with 12 points and nine rebounds.
Jonas Aidoo had 14 and Josiah Jordan-James 12. Zakai Ziegler scored 11.
Jahmai Mashack was again strong off the bench, gathering nine points and bolstering Tennessee's defense.
Tennessee trailed 36-34 at the half.