Elevate your local knowledge

Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!

Select Region

No. 20 Tennessee beats Rice 91-66, but Estrella injured

Byline: Al Lesar

No. 20 Tennessee beats Rice 91-66, but Estrella injured | iNFOnews.ca
Tennessee forward Nate Ament (10) drives past Rice guard Trae Broadnax (12) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Felix Okpara had 20 points and eight rebounds, Nate Ament added 19 points and 10 boards, and No. 20 Tennessee cruised to a 91-66 victory over Rice on Monday night despite an injury to forward J.P. Estrella.

The 6-foot-11 redshirt sophomore went down in a scrum of bodies in the first half and appeared to hurt his left knee.

Estrella entered averaging 17.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per game this season. He missed most of last season with a foot injury.

Ja’Kobi Gillespie finished with 17 points and eight assists for the Volunteers (4-0). Ethan Berg scored 11.

Nick Anderson led the Owls (2-3) with 19 points. Cam Carroll scored 14 and Jalen Smith had 10.

Gillespie had 10 points at halftime to lead the Vols to a 39-26 advantage.

When the Owls arrived Monday at Thompson-Boling Arena, coach Rob Lanier didn’t need anyone to show him around. Lanier was an assistant under Volunteers coach Rick Barnes for eight years — four at Texas (2011-15) and four at Tennessee (2015-19). Lanier is one of 16 former Barnes assistants to become head coaches.

The win over Rice was No. 840 of Barnes’ career, which covers 39 years.

Tennessee starting guard Bishop Boswell missed his second consecutive game with a left leg injury sustained in practice. His status is day-to-day.

Up next

Rice: Will face Tarleton State at home Thursday.

Tennessee: Will host Tennessee State on Thursday.

___

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

No. 20 Tennessee beats Rice 91-66, but Estrella injured | iNFOnews.ca
Tennessee forward J.P. Estrella grabs his knee as he falls to the floor during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Rice, Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
No. 20 Tennessee beats Rice 91-66, but Estrella injured | iNFOnews.ca
Tennessee forward J.P. Estrella, bottom right, is checked by trainers after injuring his knee during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Rice, Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
No. 20 Tennessee beats Rice 91-66, but Estrella injured | iNFOnews.ca
Tennessee forward Nate Ament (10) looks to shoot over Rice guard Dallas Hobbs (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
No. 20 Tennessee beats Rice 91-66, but Estrella injured | iNFOnews.ca
Tennessee players react after a 3-point basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Rice, Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

Al Lesar

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles