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Tennessee scores just 15 points in disastrous 1st half vs. Houston
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Tennessee endured a dreadful 1st half against Houston Sunday afternoon in the Elite Eight.
The Vols managed just 15 points before the break, making it one of the lowest-scoring outputs for any team in a single half this tournament. The Vols trail 34-15 at the half as they shot just 6-of-28 from the field and 1-of-15 from 3-point range.
According to CBS, 15 points is also the lowest scoring output for any No. 2 seed in an NCAA Tournament game all-time:
Both Zakai Zeigler and Chaz Lanier struggled mightily on offense against Houston’s stout defense. Zeigler made Tennessee’s only 3-pointer of the 1st half in the final minute, but finish with just 3 points on 7 shots. Lanier had an even tougher time as he went just 1-for-9 from the field and 0-for-6 from 3-point range.
Tennessee nearly had more turnovers (4) than made field goals (6) before halftime. Jordan Gainey (2-for-6) was the only Vol to make multiple field goals in the 1st half.
Defensively, the Vols did well to limit Houston to just over 41% from the field. However, the Cougars corralled 9 offensive rebounds which translated to 11 second-chance points.
Barring a 2nd-half revival, it appears the Vols will have to wait at least one more year to reach the Final Four for the first time in program history.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
