Vols lose; Pearl called for technical

PEZINOK, Slovakia — Home court advantage is one thing.

But put a central European basketball legend on that home court in a team’s home country, and that advantage can grow appreciably, as the Tennessee men’s basketball team learned.

The Vols dropped a 103-98 decision to MBK Pezinok Wednesday night, falling for the first time in the four games they’ve played as part of a 10-day trip to Europe.

UT coach Bruce Pearl was called for a technical foul for stepping onto the court with two minutes remaining in the game.

Pearl, who refused to address the officiating on the record, said the loss could serve as a wake-up call for his team.

“This is the best thing that could have happened because this game simulated being on the road,’’ Pearl said. “Losing always gets the team’s attention. Our rebounding has improved here, but our other weaknesses, man-to-man drop-back defense and free throws, remain the same.’’

From the game’s early goings, it appeared Tennessee was at a disadvantage with the officials.

“Call it the same both ways!,’’ UT President Dr. John Petersen shouted at one point in the first quarter.

Andrej Lukjanec, a former Euro League all-star and free throw shooting champ, scored 38 to lead the Pezinok team to the victory.

Pezinok won the Slovakian pro league’s second division last year and is moving up. The team ultimately wants to play in the Euro League, where it once enjoyed success.

Lukjanec, who has played in many international leagues, was with Pezinok when he won the Euro League’s free throw title. Lukjanec hit 14 of 18 from the free throw line Wednesday in addition to 12 of his 18 shots from the floor.

Chris Lofton led Tennessee with 24 points on 8-of-16 shooting, including seven 3-pointers.

The teams combined to attempt 70 free throws (Pezinok 34 of 43, UT 16 of 27), preventing the Vols from playing uptempo.

UT centers Ryan Childress and Duke Crews had two fouls apiece within the first three minutes of the game. Wayne Chism played less than 10 minutes all night after drawing three fouls before half time and experiencing soreness in his knee.

“If we had played well early and came out sharp, we could have overcome all obstacles,’’ Pearl said. “Of course losing bothers me; our team gets upset. But, typical of our team, we battled to the end.’’

The Vols held a 51-49 lead at the half, but when Pezinok went up 64-62 with three minutes left in the third quarter, UT would never pull even or take the lead again.

Pezinok led 93-85 with two minutes left and UT couldn’t draw closer than three as Lukjanec, believed to be in his late 30s, scored 17 of his team’s 32 points in the final 10-minute quarter.

Pezinok hit 14 of its 15 free throw attempts over the final 5:01. None of the fouls called on the Vols appeared to be committed intentionally, although Lofton was whistled for an intentional foul after making a steal at half-court with just over a minute remaining.

“It wasn’t great out there with everything, but we still could have won,’’ said Lofton, who hit four 3-pointers in the final five minutes of the game. “I missed some open looks I should have had.’’

Childress, who led the Vols with 19 points Tuesday night, was disappointed with his four-point, five-rebound performance.

“I don’t care what was going on out there on the court, I should have done better,’’ Childress said. “It’s not going to go down like that in Vienna, and you can write that down.’’

The Vols bus to the Austrian city this morning, and after touring the city will visit the Prater Amusement Park.

Tennessee plays its final game at 7 o’clock Friday night against Klosterneuburg BBC, an Austrian league champion.

Tennessee (98): Lofton 8-16, 1-2, 24; Tabb 3-6, 5-6, 11; Howell 4-6, 0-0, 11; Chism 1-2, 2-2, 4; R. Smith 2-7, 3-7, 8; Crews 2-3, 3-5, 7; J. Smith 8-18, 0-0, 18; Childress 2-3, 0-0, 4; Pearl 3-5, 2-5, 11.

Totals: 33-of-66 FG (.500); 16-of-27 FT (.593).

Pezinok (103)

Totals: 31-of-50 FG (.620), 34-of-43 FT (.791).

Turnovers committed: Tennessee 14, Pezinok 22.