![\"NCAA](\"https:\/\/images.deadspin.com\/tr:w-900\/28241846.jpg\")
Feb 14, 2026; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers forward Nate Ament (10) during a throw in during the first half against the Louisiana State Tigers at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\nTennessee’s J.P. Estrella notched 16 points and nine rebounds, and the Volunteers won for the seventh time in nine games by toppling LSU 73-63 on Saturday night in Knoxville, Tenn.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n In a matchup where size mattered down the stretch, the 6-foot-11 Estrella made 7 of 9 field goals and hauled down six of his club’s 16 offensive rebounds.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Nate Ament added 22 points, nine rebounds and two blocks for the Volunteers (18-7, 8-4 Southeastern Conference), who earned their second straight victory.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Ja’Kobi Gillespie had 12 points and six assists as Tennessee beat LSU for the fifth straight time.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Volunteers bodied their way to a massive 45-24 advantage on the boards.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Tigers (14-11, 2-10) fell to 1-6 in its last seven games. Five of the losses are by double digits.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Marquel Sutton had 15 points and nine rebounds, while Jalen Reece had 15 points and four assists. Pablo Tamba scored 13 points and Mike Nwoko posted 10 and five rebounds.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n Wearing all-black uniforms instead of their home orange, the Volunteers scored the first five points behind their two top scorers — Gillespie with a three-pointer and Ament with a short jumper.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The home side gradually pulled away as LSU went cold on a 2-for-14 shooting showing from the floor and failed to connect on a field goal for over six minutes, allowing Tennessee to lead 17-7 after Estrella’s dunk.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n However, the Tigers cut it to single digits as Mazi Mosley drained two deep shots, the second one making it 23-15 with just under eight minutes remaining.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Tamba’s trey cut it to six, 35-29, as LSU made all but one of its last six shots of the half, while Tennessee went the final 4:44 without only one bucket.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Right out of halftime, Tamba hit another deep ball and Reece matched it as the Tigers knotted it 35-all. Reece canned another 3 to tie it at 40-40 as Tennessee found itself tied with over 16 minutes remaining.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Sutton’s two free throws gave the Tigers their first lead, 42-41, at 15:35.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Foul trouble on LSU’s big men, Robert Miller III and Nwoko, forced the visitors to play with a smaller lineup against Tennessee’s imposing frontcourt.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n With 9:28 left, Gillespie capped an 8-0 run by stroking a long ball for a 58-50 lead, and the Volunteers exerted their size advantage to lock down the win.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n