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Smith's career-high 32 helps Tennessee crush Middle Tennessee

Nov 21, 2007 - 4:35 AM KNOXVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- JaJuan Smith set a new career high in points - in the first half.

Smith had 26 of his 32 points in the opening half as No. 7 Tennessee easily crushed Middle Tennessee, 109-40, on Tuesday.

Chris Lofton scored 17 points and Ramar and Tyler Smith each added 12 and 11, respectively, for the Volunteers (4-0), who extended their home winning streak to 20 games and are averaging 94.8 points through their first four contests this season.

Tennessee, which is 6-1 all-time vs. Middle Tennessee, roared out to a 61-21 advantage at the half on the strength of JaJuan Smith, who connected on 9-of-11 shots from the floor, including 5-of-7 from 3-point range.

"Tonight I was feeling it," Smith said. "I woke up this morning with an ache in the back, and I just knew something crazy was going to happen once I got it straightened out. I was just feeling it. It was one of those nights."

Smith's previous high was 25 against Kentucky on January 28, 2007.

The senior guard's accuracy helped the Vols shoot 63 percent at the half and finish 65 percent (37-of-57) overall.

"At this point in the season, that's about as good as you can expect," Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl said. "I think our focus tonight was obviously there. I asked our coaches before the game, 'Are we nervous or just really, really focused?' because they were quiet tonight."

It was the second time in four games Tennessee has scored over 100 points in the campaign.

It was also the first time that Middle Tennessee had allowed an opponent to score 100 or more points in 216 games.

"We just have to close the book on the game," Middle Tennessee coach Kermit Davis said. "It is an embarrassment to what we are trying to do and what we are trying to be about. But give all the credit to Tennessee. We are just not getting it done right now."

Kevin Kanaskie scored nine points and Theryn Hudson added eight for the Blue Raiders (1-3), who shot a woeful 31 percent (13-of-42) in losing for the sixth straight time to the Vols.