US EditionNo. 18 Vols Cruise to Season-Opening Win over Mercer
Freshman Nate Ament led Tennessee with 18 points and nine rebounds as the Volunteers dominated rebounds 54-32 despite 19 turnovers in the season opener.
- On Nov. 3, the Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball team beat the Mercer Bears men's basketball team 76-61 at Thompson-Boling Arena in a game streamed on SEC Network+.
- As a tune-up, Tennessee scheduled a five-game series against mid-major opponents before a tougher late November non-conference slate, coming off back-to-back Elite Eight appearances under coach Rick Barnes.
- Freshman Nate Ament led Tennessee with 18 points on 6-of-11 shooting and nine rebounds, supporting the 54-32 rebounding advantage and J.P. Estrella's 12 points off the bench.
- With the win, Tennessee improved to 1-0 as Rick Barnes cleared the bench late to give freshmen Amari Evans and Clarence Massamba their first minutes, and Tennessee returns to Food City Center Saturday against Northern Kentucky.
- Despite Mercer hitting more threes after the break, a 13-2 run and an 8-0 burst put Tennessee firmly ahead, with second-half adjustments leading to a 62-49 lead.
15 Articles
15 Articles
#18 Tennessee Volunteers use early 21-6 run to beat Mercer Bears 76-61 in season opener
The 18th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers started their 2025-26 regular season campaign with a 76-61 win over Mercer. Freshman forward Nate Ament, in his collegiate debut, paced a balanced scoring attack with a game-best 19 points.
Associated Press News
Ament has 18 points and 9 rebounds to lead No. 18 Tennessee past Mercer 76-61
Nate Ament scored 18 points and had nine rebounds to lead No. 18 Tennessee to a 76-61 victory over Mercer in the season opener for both teams.
Tennessee basketball tops Mercer 76-61 in season opener
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Tennessee men's basketball season got off to a winning start on Monday with a 76-61 win over Mercer at Food City Center. The Volunteers got off to a quick start on the interior with 30 first-half points in the paint. Redshirt sophomore forward JP Estrella made his return to official competition after missing most of the 2024-2025 season and led Tennessee in the opening frame with eight points. Vols phenom Nate …
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