KNOXVILLE, Tenn.- Top seeded Tennessee had four players in double figures in a 65-51 win over Savannah State in the first round of the National Invitational Tournament played at Thompson-Boling Arena before a crowd of 6,289.

SSU, who was the number eight seed, ends their season with a 21-12 record while the Volunteers improve to 19-14 and moves on to the second round of the NIT.

UT shot 42.3 percent from the field in the opening period and led 32-24 at the break.

In the second half, Savannah State was out-scored 33-27 and missed all four of their 3-point attempts.

The Vols ended the game shooting 42 percent from the field while SSU shot 32.8 percent.

SSU's Rashad Hassan led all scorers with 20 points and 14 rebounds while Preston Blackmon added 14 points and five assists.

Tennessee won the battle of the boards 42 to 41 and were led in scoring by Jarnell Stokes who had 13 points.