Vols end two-game losing streak with win at South Carolina

No. 25 Tennessee (21-9, 11-6 SEC) defeated South Carolina (12-18, 3-14 SEC), 78-59, Tuesday at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina.

The win ended the Vols' two-game losing streak.

Tennessee, playing without freshman forward Nate Ament led, 40-28, at halftime. He was injured in a loss to Alabama on Feb. 28.

J.P. Estella scored a game-high 22 points for Tennessee. He also totaled seven rebounds and three assists. Estrella converted 10-of-13 field goal attempts and 2-of-2 free throw attempts, and was one of two Tennessee players to score 10-plus points in the contest against the Gamecocks.

Felix Okpara recorded 20 points and eight rebounds for Tennessee, which scored 56 of its 78 points in the paint and posted a .541 field goal percentage. He converted 10-of-14 field goal attempts.

Ja'Kobi Gillespie and Ethan Burg scored eight points each for the Vols, who totaled 22 assists and committed six turnovers. Gillespie finished with a career-high 12 assists and two steals, while Burg finished with one rebound and one assist.

Meechie Johnson Jr. led the Gamecocks with 20 points. He also recorded four assists, two rebounds and one steal.

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This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: J.P. Estrella scores 22 points in victory at South Carolina