JP Estrella helps No. 20 Tennessee shake off slow start vs. North Florida, 99-66

Tennessee Basketball was running 14 minutes late Wednesday night against North Florida. It wasn’t until just over six minutes left in the first half that the Vols finally showed up against the outmanned but upset-minded Ospreys. 

No. 20 Tennessee ended the first half on a 15-0 run, not giving up a point over those final six minutes before halftime, and kept the run going after the break on the way to a 99-66 win.

JP Estrella scored a game-high and career-high 23 points and added 10 rebounds off the bench to lead the Vols (3-0). Nate Ament had 19 points, nine rebound and five assists and Ja’Kobi Gillespie had 21 points and seven assists, but also had five turnovers. 

Amaree Abram had nine points off the bench and Cade Phillips added nine points and nine rebounds while making his second straight start. 

North Florida (0-2) got 16 points, four rebounds and four assists from Kent Jackson in the loss.

The Ospreys only led for 2:21 in the first half, but it was a 32-30 North Florida lead with 6:13 left in the first half. Tennessee started its run with three Ament free throws 14 seconds later and the run didn’t stop until a North Florida 3-pointer with 18:20 left in the second half cut the deficit down to 18.

Bishop Boswell sidelined by right foot injury

Sophomore guard Bishop Bowell was ruled out before Wednesday night’s game due to a right foot injury. His status is day-to-day moving forward as he continues to be evaluated, according to the Vols.

Both Boswell and Ament were limited in practice Tuesday afternoon.

Boswell has started the first two games of the season, totaling 11 points and 13 rebounds in 39 minutes. He played 17 minutes against Mercer and 22 against Northern Kentucky, going 3-for-5 from the 3-point line in the two games. 

Up Next: No. 20 Tennessee vs. Rice

Tennessee is back home on Monday night, hosting Rice in an 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time start on SEC Network at Food City Center. The Owls are coached by former Tennessee associate head coach Rob Lanier. 

Lanier came with Rick Barnes from Texas to join the 2015-16 Tennessee coaching staff. He was with the Vols until 2019, when he was hired as head coach at Georgia State. He spent three seasons with the Panthers before being hired by SMU, where he spent two seasons before the move to Rice.

The Vols will also host Tennessee State next week before going to Las Vegas for the Players Era Men’s Championship at the MGM Grand.

Tennessee plays Rutgers to start the tournament on November 24, then faces No. 2 Houston the following day. A third game will be played on either November 26 or 27 against an opponent to be determined.