KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - The 18th-ranked Tennessee basketball team opened its 2025-26 campaign with a 76-61 win over Mercer on Monday inside Food City Center.

True freshman Nate Ament led Tennessee in scoring with 18 points. JP Estrella was the only other Vol in double figures with 12.

Jaylen Carey pulled down 10 rebounds, while Ja’Kobi Gillespie led the way in assists with six.

While the Vols outrebounded the Bears 54-32, Tennessee was turnover-prone, turning the ball over 19 times.

The Vols return to action on Saturday against Northern Kentucky.

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