COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The 121 points Tennessee scored Friday were fine and good.

The points Long Beach State did not score at the start of the second half, now there's something the Vols got excited about.

"As much as offense seemed to be the main focus,'' said UT senior Dane Bradshaw, "defense is what changed the game for us.

"We got a number of stops to start the second half and that's what gave us the separation, our defense.''

The final separation was 121-86. The Vols survive and advance to meet Virginia in the second round of the NCAA tournament here Sunday at Nationwide Arena.

Most games, a 12-point halftime lead creates some level of comfort zone.

Not Friday. Not when the opponent is run-and-gun Long Beach.

The 49ers had whittled a 17-point deficit to as few as six in the first half.

Tennessee opened the second half with a 16-2 run as Long Beach hit only one of its first seven shots.

"The start of the second half was probably the key to the game,'' said Long Beach coach Larry Reynolds.

"That got it spread out to where we were going to have a tough time coming back and they were able to be a little more deliberate and make us guard them for 25 or 30 seconds.''

UT guard Chris Lofton opened the half with a 3-point basket and converted two other layups in the decisive run.

When he missed two other 3-point tries, JaJuan Smith and Duke Crews were there for tip-ins.

Crews had a blocked shot in the spurt and when Ramar Smith hit two free throws it was 73-47 with 15:44 to play.

"We knew they average a whole lot of points in the second half,'' Crews said, "so coach told us we've got to continue to play aggressive defense and build on our lead.

"If we slack off, they're the kind of team that can score, three, six, nine real quick.''

Chism Hurt: Three minutes into the second half, UT freshman center Wayne Chism took a shot to the neck and didn't play again.

Chism spent much of the second half in the locker room getting medical attention before returning to the bench with 7:58 left.

Chism was not available for interviews after the game. He was taken for further medical evaluation of his head and neck, UT spokesman Bud Ford said.

"I didn't know what was going on,'' said Crews. "He walked off looking kind of weak.''

Chism's absence meant Ben Bosse, a 6-foot-7 walk-on from Farragut, got in for 34 seconds midway through the second half.

"That's my job, to be ready,'' said Bosse.

"When Wayne went to the locker room, you kind of had a feeling you've moved up a little bit.''

Chism had a strong first half, scoring 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting in 11 minutes.

Tabb Steps Up: Freshman Josh Tabb usually contributes a few minutes of defense when he's called on off the bench. He helped at both ends of the floor against Long Beach.

Tabb got 15 minutes in the first half as both Lofton and JaJuan Smith had foul trouble. He scored seven points on 3-of-5 shooting, chipped in four rebounds and two steals.

"I pick and choose my spots,'' said Tabb. "It was just a fun game to play tonight.''

Tabb was hoping to get back to the arena Friday night to watch Southern Illinois play Holy Cross. Tabb is from Carbondale, Ill., and signed with the hometown Salukis out of high school but instead went to prep school for a year before signing with Tennessee.

"I'm rooting them on, too,'' Tabb said. "I'll try to get back out for their game but I don't know if coach will let me.''

Eight for Dane: Bradshaw took a little kidding for not scoring in double figures in UT's avalanche of points. He finished with eight points on 3-of-3 shooting from the field.

"I'm telling you,'' said Bradshaw, "it's happened my whole life. You can ask my parents.

"In Little League, when you blow a team out like 100-20, I'm the guy with four points and a bunch of assists.''

He had 11 assists Friday, a career high.

Yes, Virginia: Crews, who played high school ball in Hampton, Va., is looking forward to playing the Cavaliers.

"It's going to be fun,'' Crews said. "I saw Sean (Singletary) and J.R. (Reynolds) in the hall earlier.

Asked if the trash talking has already begun, Crews smiled and said, "It will tonight.''