KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The No. 11 Tennessee Volunteers continued their strong start to the 2026-27 men's basketball season Monday night, defeating the Radford Highlanders 70-47 at home to improve to 2-0 on the year.
Tennessee used a balanced offensive attack, a dominant performance in the paint, and another strong defensive showing to pull away from the Highlanders and secure its second victory of the young season.
The Volunteers were led by Terrence Hill Jr., who finished with a game-high 18 points on an efficient 6-of-9 shooting performance. Hill also connected on two of his four three-point attempts, went a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line, and added three assists and two steals in 28 minutes of action.
While Hill led the way offensively, Tennessee received contributions from several players throughout the lineup.
Dai Dai Ames provided a spark off the bench, finishing with 13 points on 4-of-7 shooting while knocking down five of his six free-throw attempts.
Jalen Haralson also delivered an impressive performance, recording 11 points, six rebounds, three steals, and a block in just 17 minutes. Haralson shot 4-of-6 from the field and helped Tennessee maintain its defensive intensity.
One of the biggest stories of the night was Tennessee's dominance on the glass.
DeWayne Brown II finished with a game-high 12 rebounds, including nine defensive boards and three offensive rebounds. Although Brown scored just four points, his presence in the paint played a major role in limiting Radford's opportunities.
Miles Rubin was another key contributor, finishing with eight points, seven rebounds, and three blocks while shooting an impressive 4-of-5 from the field.
Troy Henderson helped facilitate Tennessee's offense, recording a game-high six assists to go along with two points and two steals in 17 minutes.
Tennessee Takes Control Early
The Volunteers established themselves in the opening half, outscoring Radford 33-24 to take a nine-point advantage into the locker room.
Despite the Highlanders keeping things competitive early, Tennessee's defensive pressure and ability to control the interior helped the Volunteers maintain the upper hand.
The second half was an even stronger showing from Tennessee.
The Volunteers outscored Radford 37-23 over the final 20 minutes, extending their lead and eventually securing a comfortable 23-point victory.
Tennessee led for 74% of the contest and built its largest advantage to 26 points.
Radford, meanwhile, held a lead of no more than four points and struggled to generate consistent offense against Tennessee's defense.
Defense and Interior Play Make the Difference
Although Tennessee struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 4-of-17 (24%) from three-point range, the Volunteers made up for it with efficient shooting inside and a strong defensive effort.
Tennessee finished the night shooting 46% from the field, connecting on 24 of its 52 attempts.
Radford had a much more difficult time offensively, shooting just 26% from the floor and making only 16 of its 61 field-goal attempts.
The Highlanders also struggled from three-point range, finishing 5-of-24 (21%) from beyond the arc.
Perhaps the most telling statistic of the night came in the paint.
Tennessee outscored Radford 40-14 in points in the paint, showcasing its ability to attack the basket and establish a physical presence inside.
The Volunteers also won the rebounding battle 43-32, including a 34-19 advantage in defensive rebounds.
Defensively, Tennessee recorded 11 steals and nine blocks, creating problems for Radford throughout the night.
The Volunteers also capitalized on Radford's mistakes, scoring 19 points off 17 Highlander turnovers.
Tennessee committed 15 turnovers of its own, something the Volunteers will look to clean up as the season progresses.
Radford Struggles to Find Offensive Rhythm
For Radford, Jordyn Kee led the Highlanders with 16 points, shooting 6-of-11 from the field.
Cameron Jackson led the team on the glass with eight rebounds, splitting his total evenly between four offensive and four defensive boards.
However, Radford's offensive struggles ultimately proved too much to overcome.
The Highlanders finished with just seven assists as a team and were unable to consistently break down Tennessee's defense.
Radford fell to 0-3 on the season with the loss, including an 0-3 record away from home.
A Promising Start for the Volunteers
Through two games, Tennessee has shown several encouraging signs, particularly on the defensive end of the floor.
The Volunteers' ability to control the paint, force difficult shots, and receive contributions from multiple players gives Tennessee plenty to build on moving forward.
While the outside shooting remains an area for improvement, the Volunteers demonstrated Monday night that they can still put together a convincing victory without relying heavily on the three-point shot.
Hill's offensive production, Brown's rebounding, Rubin's rim protection, and the contributions from Tennessee's bench all played important roles in the win.
With the victory, Tennessee improves to 2-0 on the season, while Radford drops to 0-3.
For the No. 11 Volunteers, the goal now is simple: continue building momentum, improve with each opportunity, and prepare for the challenges that lie ahead as the 2026-27 season continues.
Final Score: No. 11 Tennessee 70, Radford 47.
