No pearl, but a victory

He knows what first-year Tennessee men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl expects. He knew Pearl didn't receive it Thursday night.

"He's a perfectionist," Wingate said after the Vols scratched their way to a 69-58 victory against visiting Lipscomb University. "We're no where near where Coach Pearl wants us to be.

"He came in and chewed us out at the end of the game, but we got a win."

Another big crowd — announced to be 15,967 — just had to sweat it out a little longer than expected.

Lipscomb (5-5) had already lost to two other SEC teams, 67-49 at Kentucky and 69-54 at Auburn.

Maybe it was a mild case of the holiday doldrums for the Vols.

Maybe it was tired legs after a Tuesday night victory against Alabama A&M.

Different people had different opinions, but the bottom line was the Vols improved to 8-1 with one non-conference game remaining before SEC play begins.

"Lipscomb is a well-coached basketball team that was well prepared and had 10 days to get ready for this game," Pearl said. "That's what we were most concerned about.

"I think our guys did a great job of getting ready in one day but I think fatigue was a factor."

It was C.J. Watson to the rescue for the Vols.

With leading scorer Chris Lofton (18.4 ppg) being limited to a season-low six points on two first-half 3-pointers, the Vols needed some sparks from other sources.

Lofton took only five shots in the game and the Vols were 5 of 20 as a team on 3-pointers, all of those coming in the first half.

"Chris made those two shots early, and I think Lipscomb did a good job of switching out on him," Pearl said. "I don't think he did a particularly good job of getting himself open and moving without the basketball."

Still, the Vols had enough in reserve to hang on late.

The Bisons had cut a 10-point UT lead to 57-52 with 5:13 remaining.

Watson then proceeded to hit 9 of 10 free throws as the Vols gradually pulled away.

UT's senior point guard finished with a team-high 18 points, including 13 of 14 free throws.

Wingate did most of his damage early, but finished with 13 points and a season-high seven rebounds. He tied a career-high with three blocks and also hit the first 3-pointer of his career.

It still wasn't enough for Wingate.

"It's just a game you expect, but you don't want to happen," Wingate said. "Just like a loss.

"Coach Pearl just wants us to stop the hot-dogging, get the win quick and go home."

Stanley Asumnu helped out with 11 points on 5-of-9 shooting, but made one of six foul shots.

Lipscomb sophomore Eddie Ard led all scorers with a career-high 24 points. Brian Fisk added 19 points and five assists for the Bisons.

Lipscomb outrebounded the Vols 43-33.

"When you hold an opponent to 36 percent shooting — and we continued to force some turnovers with 21 — I think that says a little something about the effort," Pearl said. "You have to go with what works.

"We have to turn people over because we're just not going to be a great rebounding team. We're not big enough."

Asumnu felt like defense turned the momentum.

"We just picked up the defensive intensity and didn't let them get into their stuff as easily as they were early," he said. "We fought hard and just had to battle and make plays."

UT went up 11-2 early, but trailed 26-23 late in the first half after Lipscomb had runs of 13-3 and 9-0.

JaJuan Smith again came off the bench to provide a lift with eight points, including a steal and reverse slam to make it 44-37 with 13:43 remaining.

The Vols can take a rest before returning to action at 7 p.m. Jan. 4 at home against South Alabama. SEC play is just around the corner.

"Ready or not, here it comes," Pearl said.