Tennessee 72, Mississippi State 57: Jarnell Stokes posted his fourth double-double of the season with 18 points and 11 rebounds as the Volunteers turned back the visiting Bulldogs to avoid a 0-4 start in Southeastern Conference play.

Josh Richardson added 16 points, Trae Golden contributed 10 points and nine assists and Armani Moore had 11 rebounds as the Volunteers (9-7, 1-3 SEC) snapped a four-game losing streak.

Jalen Steele paced the Bulldogs (7-9, 2-2) with 15 points in a return to his hometown of Knoxville. Fred Thomas added 14 points and Craig Sword scored 10 before fouling out.

Interior play made the difference for the Volunteers. In addition to outrebounding Mississippi State 37-32, Tennessee racked up 42 points in the paint.

Ahead 37-29 at halftime, Tennessee led for the entire second half - most of it by double figures. The Bulldogs got back within single digits by the final media timeout, but the Volunteers closed the game on an 8-2 run.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Tennessee freshman F Derek Reese scored nine points, all on 3-pointers in the second half. ... Steele spent a good portion of the second half battling cramps, but still logged 27 minutes of playing time. ... Volunteers F Kenny Hall appeared in his 100th career game.