No. 7 Tennessee extends its season-opening winning streak to 7 games in 78-35 win over UT Martin

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Tennessee forward Felix Okpara (34) dunks during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against UT Martin, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

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Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler (5) reacts to knocking the ball out of bounds during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against UT Martin, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

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Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler (5) attempts to steal the ball from UT Martin guard Matija Matija Zuzic (6) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

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Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler (5) battles for the ball as he’s defended by UT Martin guard Filip Radaković (33) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

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Tennessee forward Cade Phillips (12) dunks past guard AJ Hopkins (11) and forward Stefano Faloppa (25) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

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Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler (5) knocks the ball away from UT Martin guard Josué Grullon (10) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

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Tennessee guard Chaz Lanier (2) shoots over UT Martin guard Matija Zuzic (6) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

By AL LESAR

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Chaz Lanier scored 18 and No. 7 Tennessee extended its season-opening winning streak to seven games with a 78-35 victory over UT Martin on Wednesday.

Felix Okpara had 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Volunteers (7-0). Zakai Zeigler added 11 points and nine assists, and Igor Milicic had 13 rebounds and nine points.

The Skyhawks (2-5) were led by Josu Grullon’s 15 points.

Lanier scored 11 points in the first half as Tennessee built a 35-20 lead at the half. Grullon had 10 for UT Martin.

Takeaways

UT Martin: Dropped its fifth straight after two opening wins under first-year coach Jeremy Shulman. After 21 wins last year, the Skyhawks brought in 16 newcomers this season. They are picked to finish 10th in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Tennessee: After receiving the news that 6-foot-9 sophomore J.P. Estrella will miss the entire season with a foot injury, the Vols have had to go back to the drawing board to determine their rotation on the front court. Estrella had been coming off the bench with Cade Phillips to spell Igor Milicic and Felix Okpara. What that big man rotation looks like will be interesting.

Not PARSE.LY: College basketball

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New Mexico State faces Pepperdine

Key moment

From late in the first half to early in the second half, Tennessee scored 14 straight points and turned a 10-point lead into a 44-20 advantage. Zakai Zeigler had five of those points.

Key stat

UT Martin committed 18 turnovers. Five of those were shot-clock violations. Tennessee scored 24 points off the turnovers.

Up next

UT Martin will be at Charleston Southern next Tuesday. Tennessee will host Syracuse next Tuesday in the SEC/ACC Challenge.

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