Tennessee players defend Mississippi State guard Deivon Smith (5) as he takes a shot during a basketball game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn., on Tuesday, January 26, 2021. Kns Vols Mississippi State Hoops Bp
Up by three with just 75 seconds to go, Tennessee basketball came away with three key defensive stops while Yves Pons was on the bench due to fouling out to build a five-point lead and take control. In the process, the Vols, ranked No. 18 in the AP Poll and No. 17 in the Coaches Poll, held off the Mississippi State Bulldogs 56-53 to end their two-game losing streak.