The numbers are in from the ETSU basketball game.
But unlike the presidential election there certainly won’t be a recount.
The Volunteers used a spectacular shooting effort to take a decisive 102-76 victory over the Buccaneers (1-1) Sunday at Thompson-Boling Arena.
The eighth-ranked Vols shot 62 percent in the first half, as they led 75-35 at one point in the second stanza.
“The shooting was great for our squad,” Tennessee post player Charles Hathaway said. “We have some firepower, with Terrance Woods, Tony Harris, John Higgins. We have some wonderful shooters and we have the post guys down low. Put that together and hopefully we have a championship team.”
While the Vols are thinking final four, the Bucs are using this game a learning experience.
ETSU Head Coach Ed DeChellis, thought his team battled hard until the very end.
“I was disappointed with our lack of execution in the first half.” DeChellis said. “But I was equally as proud of our guys in the second half.
“This is not an easy environment to come into.” DeChellis said, “I thought our guys played a lot better in the second half and competed well.”
The Bucs definitely played better offensively as the game carried on.
After being down 55-28 at the half, they outscored Tennessee, 48-47, in second-half play.
The Bucs did hold the Vols to 45.7 percent shooting in the final 20 minutes.
A Buccaneer that showed signs of greatness was Ryan Lawson.
The sophomore from Rogersville was 3-4 from the point.
“I think we were kind of scared at the start,” Lawson said. “Its not easy for anybody to play the eighth-ranked team in the country this time of year.”
Dimeco Childress led the Bucs with 15 points, while D.J. McDuffie was close behind with 14.
The Vols were led by Vincent Yarbrough, who tallied 18 points. Harris Walker, Marcus Haislip and Hathaway all scored 12 for Tennessee.
Lawson believes ETSU fans will see a different Buccaneer team later on.
“I believe by midseason we’re going to be hard to handle” Lawson said.

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