Tennessee, which is without suspended coach Bruce Pearl, was in jeopardy of starting SEC play with three straight losses. The Vols trailed Vanderbilt by as many as 17 in the first half.

But freshman forward Tobias Harris wasn’t going to let that happen to the Vols. Harris scored what proved to be the game-winning layup and added two late free throws to help the Vols to a 67-64 victory over the Commodores Saturday in Knoxville.

Harris finished with 15 points, while junior guard Scotty Hopson had a team-high 16 points. Cameron Tatum added 12 for the Vols.

For Vanderbilt, it was a game that slipped away. The Commodores entered the game with wins in five of their past six and built a 30-13 lead in the first half. Tennessee ended the half on a 7-0 run, though.

Tennessee had a run in the second half, too, and pulled within one, 55-54, with 5:49 left. The Vols eventually took a 61-59 lead on a 3-pointer from Tatum with 3:06 left.

Vandy immediately regained the lead, as John Jenkins drained a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession. Jeffrey Taylor then made two free throws to give the Commodores a 64-61 lead with 2:17 left.

But those were the last points Vanderbilt would score, as Tennessee closed the game on a 6-0 run, including four points from Harris.