Hopson scores 17 and No. 8 Tennessee holds on for 63-56 win over Alabama

Hopson, Chism lead No. 8 Vols past Alabama, 63-56

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Wayne Chism scored all 11 of his points over the final 7 minutes and No. 8 Tennessee held off Alabama for a 63-56 victory on Tuesday night.

Scotty Hopson scored 17 points and the short-handed Volunteers (15-2, 3-0 Southeastern Conference) remained in survival mode, overcoming cold shooting by making it an even tougher night for the Crimson Tide shooters.

Tennessee held Alabama (11-7, 1-3) to only one basket in the final 3 minutes, 30 seconds and made 5 of 6 free throws down the stretch to ice the win.

The Vols shot 39 percent but limited Alabama to 38 percent and held leading scorer Mikhail Torrance to three points.

The Vols are now 5-0 playing without four players either suspended or dismissed following their Jan. 1 arrests, including Saturday’s 71-69 overtime win over Mississippi.