Ja'Kobi Gillespie delivered a sharp shooting performance Friday, knocking down six 3-pointers and scoring 29 points to lead sixth-seeded Tennessee to a 78-56 victory over Miami (Ohio) in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
The win moved the Volunteers forward in the bracket, while bringing an end to what was described as a fabulous season for Miami (Ohio).
Gillespie sets the tone from deep
Gillespie’s perimeter shooting anchored Tennessee’s offense, with his six makes from beyond the arc helping the Volunteers create separation and turn the game into a decisive result.
Tennessee’s 22-point margin reflected a complete first-round performance, as the Volunteers controlled the matchup and closed out the RedHawks to advance.
Miami’s season comes to a close
Miami (Ohio) entered the NCAA tournament with momentum from a standout year, but couldn’t match Tennessee’s scoring punch. The RedHawks’ run ended in the opening round as Tennessee’s hot shooting and steady execution proved too much to overcome.