Delvon Johnson led the way with 17 points and Rotnei Clarke added 15 as Arkansas held off Tennessee 68-65 on Saturday in the SEC opener for both teams.

Marshawn Powell chipped in 14 points for the Razorbacks (11-3, 1-0 SEC), who managed to overcome a 37-20 deficit on the boards.

Playing their first game without coach Bruce Pearl due to an eight-game suspension for recruiting violations, the slumping Volunteers (10-5, 0-1) turned the ball over 10 times in the first half and had some trouble containing Clarke early, allowing the junior guard to knock down a pair of 3-pointers and sending him to the line four times.

Arkansas made its move in the middle of second half, using an 11-2 run to open up a 57-44 lead. It was 64-55 in favor of the Razorbacks when Tennessee made one last push, closing to within 67-65 with 22 seconds left. But Arkansas held on, getting a free throw from Jeff Peterson and holding off a late try from the Volunteers.

Tennessee has dropped five of eight since beating No. 5 Pittsburgh on Dec. 11.