FAU’s second-half comeback ends Tennessee’s season

NEW YORK – Tennessee’s season came to a close Saturday at Madison Square Garden, as the Vols fell to Florida Atlantic in the Sweet Sixteen, 62-55.

Tennessee finished the 2022-23 campaign with a 25-11 overall record, having reached the ninth Sweet Sixteen in program history.

Jonas Aidoo had 10 points and seven rebounds, while Josiah-Jordan James added 10 points and six rebounds. Santiago Vescovi had nine points, seven rebounds and four assists.

The Vols shot just 33 percent from the field in the loss. Tennessee controlled the first half and the first eight minutes of the second half, but with the Vols leading 39-33 with more than 12 minutes to play, Florida Atlantic exploded for an 18-2 run to pull ahead 51-41 by 6:47.

The Vols were able to cut the Owls’ lead back to five points after a quick 7-2 spurt capped by a three from James that made it 55-50 with 3:37 left, but Florida Atlantic then outscored Tennessee 4-0 in the next two minutes of game time to regain control.

Tennessee held a steady lead for most of the first half but was unable to pull away, taking a 27-22 lead into halftime. Florida Atlantic’s 22 points were their fewest in a half this season.

The Vols led by as many as nine points on three different occasions in the opening period but went scoreless in the final 3:17 of the half.

Tennessee shot just 31.3 percent from the field in the first half, while Florida Atlantic out-rebounded the Vols 22-17 in the opening stanza. Tennessee’s most consistent source of offense in the first half was Plavsic, who had eight points.