Moore's well-rounded game helps Vols beat Army 95-80
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Armani Moore knows he will have to do a little bit of everything for Tennessee this season.
So far, he's doing just that.
Moore scored a career-high 29 points in a well-rounded performance Tuesday as Tennessee defeated Army 95-80 for its 58th consecutive November home victory. The Volunteers (4-1) haven't lost a November home game since Nov. 29, 1995, when they fell 79-76 to Charlotte, then known as UNC Charlotte.
''He seems to be the straw that stirs their drink right now,'' Army coach Zach Spiker said. ''He's a tough cover. He's a competitor. I thought he played real hard. I don't think he looks at the scoreboard or stats. He just plays. Unless you're playing against him, I'm sure he's a joy to watch.''
Moore had eight rebounds, six assists and four blocks while setting a career high in scoring for the second time in his last three games. Moore, a 6-foor-4 senior, had scored 20 points Thursday in an 84-74 victory over Marshall.
His stat line exemplified the versatility of a guy who has filled multiple roles during his Tennessee career. He showed up on campus three years ago as a point guard, carved out a niche as an undersized power forward last season and finds himself handling the ball more frequently and accepting a bigger scoring responsibility this season.
''Coach (Rick) Barnes told me they're going to try to use me in a lot of different areas this year,'' Moore said. ''I've got to be a guy who's got to be consistent every night, no matter if that's defending and rebounding, playing point guard, playing the `four.' I've got to try to be effective any way I can.''
Tanner Plomb scored 24 points and Kyle Wilson added 21 for Army (3-2). Kevin Ferguson had nine points and 12 rebounds.
Kevin Punter added 26 points for Tennessee, marking the first time the Vols had two players score 25-plus points in a game since Tony Harris had 29 and Vincent Yarbrough had 25 in a 102-90 victory over South Florida on Nov. 29, 1999. Robert Hubbs had 14 points, and Derek Reese had nine points with 11 rebounds.
This represented Tennessee's second home game in the Barclays Center Classic. The Vols head to Brooklyn, New York, later this week to face George Washington on Friday and either Cincinnati or Nebraska on Saturday.
TIP-INS
Army: Wilson's 21 points gives him 1,585 for his career to tie Ella Ellis for fifth place on Army's all-time list.
Tennessee: This marked the Vols' first meeting with Army since a 75-52 Tennessee victory on Dec. 28, 1987. Tennessee was coached that season by Don DeVoe, who also worked as an Army assistant on Bob Knight's staff from 1965-71.
PUNTER THE SCORER
As long as Punter is scoring, Tennessee usually is winning.
Punter has averaged 25 points in Tennessee's four victories this season and has scored at least 19 points in each of them. He was held to nine points in a 69-67 loss to Georgia Tech.
REVERSAL OF FORTUNE
Army built a six-point lead in the first half by making four of its seven 3-point attempts while Tennessee missed its first eight shots from beyond the arc.
But after starting out so cold from long range, Tennessee ended up outshooting Army on 3-pointers. The Vols ended up 10 of 22 while Army was 10 of 27.
NEXT UP
Army: Hosts Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Friday.
Tennessee: Faces George Washington on Friday at Brooklyn, New York.
