No. 18 Tennessee Defeats Northridge

Cal State Northridge, with one of its top players suspended, lost to No. 18 Tennessee, 83-64, Tuesday night before 13,492 at Knoxville, Tenn.

Coach Bobby Braswell suspended 6-foot-9, 250-pound forward Rico Harris before the game for breaking an unspecified team rule.

“It would have been nice to have the big fella in there,” Braswell said of Harris.

Northridge (1-1) took a 23-16 lead but faltered and trailed, 45-33, at halftime. A three-point shot by Greg Minor pulled the Matadors within 53-49 with 12 minutes to play, but Tennesee (2-1) went on a nine-point run.

Guard Brandon Wharton was one of four Volunteers with at least 14 points, scoring 19 and making 12 of 13 free throws. Tennessee was 34 of 39 from the line and held a 47-28 rebounding advantage.

Carl Holmes scored 14 and Andre Larry and Minor each had 13 for Northridge, which shot 40.7%.