Tennessee holds off Louisiana-Lafayette 58-55 in NCAA opener
Tennessee forward Jonas Aidoo (0) steals a rebound from Louisiana forward Jordan Brown (21) during the first half of a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. Tennessee's Julian Phillips, right, looks on. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Chris O'Meara]
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Tyreke Key scored 12 points, Jahmai Mashack added 11 and fourth-seeded Tennessee survived a late scare to hold off Louisiana-Lafayette 58-55 in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. The Ragin’ Cajuns whittled an 18-point deficit to three in the final minute, but the Volunteers closed it out by forcing tough shots and making just enough free throws. Tennessee advanced to face fifth-seeded Duke in the East Region’s second round at Orlando, Florida. The Blue Devils routed No. 12 seed Oral Roberts 74-51 earlier Thursday. Jordan Brown led the Ragin’ Cajuns with 16 points.
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Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes calls a play against Louisiana during the first half of a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Chris O'Meara
Tennessee guard Tyreke Key (4) drives to the basket as Louisiana guard Greg Williams Jr. (13) defends during the first half of a first-round college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament, Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Phelan M. Ebenhack
Louisiana guard Jalen Dalcourt (5) reacts with forwards Terence Lewis II (34) and Isaiah Richards (35) during the first half of a first-round college basketball game against Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament, Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Phelan M. Ebenhack