ORLANDO, Fla. -- Tennessee got 18 points apiece from Josh Richardson and Armani Moore, and took control with impressive defensive play to start the second half en route to a 64-57 win over Santa Clara Thursday in the opening round of the Orlando Classic.
Tennessee used a 14-0 run to open the second half to go up 41-30 with 11:55 left. Richardson gave the Volunteers their first lead, 32-30, since early in the game with 17 minutes remaining.
Santa Clara didn't get its first second-half points until Jared Brownridge made a layup with 10 1/2 minutes to play. Kai Healey hit a 3 in the final minute to cut the deficit to 59-55, but Broncos could get no closer.
"It was most important to start the second half right," Tennessee coach Donnie Tyndall said. "They dug in and defensed the right way."
Jabari McGhee added eight points and nine rebounds for Tennessee (2-1), which faced off-court distractions this week following the resignation of an assistant coach.
Brandon Clark scored 21 points and Jared Brownridge added 12 for Santa Clara (2-3).
Two members of Tyndall's staff have resigned since a Nov. 6 announcement that the NCAA was conducting a review of Southern Mississippi, where Tyndall worked the last two seasons.
Tennessee announced Monday that assistant coach Adam Howard was resigning "effective immediately" for personal reasons. R.J. Rush, a special assistant to Tyndall, resigned on Nov. 10 and cited family reasons for his departure. Both Howard and Rush worked with Tyndall at Southern Mississippi.
Tyndall has declined to comment on the departures of Howard and Rush.
Clark had 10 points as Santa Clara took a 30-27 halftime lead. The Broncos were 5 of 7 from 3-point range and made 11 of 15 free throws during the opening half.
"I thought Brandon was really good early," Santa Clara coach Kerry Keating said.
Tennessee: The Volunteers were called for 23 fouls. They entered leading the nation with an average of 28 a game. ... Freshman Willie Carmichael III, from nearby Apopka Fla., had two points and three fouls in 11 minutes. ... Moore set a career-high with his 18 points. His previous best was 11 earlier this season against Texas Southern. "Armani is a confident guy," Tyndall said.
Santa Clara: Clark moved past Scott Lamson (1,120) into 25th place on the school career points scored list with 1,132. ... Clark and Brownridge combined to average 34 points last season.
Tennessee plays either Kansas or Rhode Island Friday in the Orlando Classic semifinals.
Santa Clara will play Friday in the consolation round at the Orlando Classic.
