KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee coach Rick Barnes stated the obvious in his postgame session Wednesday night, proclaiming the Vols' first-half effort against Florida to be the best 20 minutes they've played this season.
He's looking for a complete effort soon, though.
Kevin Punter established the pace in the first half and Tennessee used the fast start to remain unbeaten at home this season with an 83-69 win over Florida.
"Tennessee, wow. They just whipped us. They destroyed us," first-year Florida coach Mike White said. "They were better in every facet of the game."
Tennessee (8-6, 1-1 SEC) made 20 of 39 shots for a 53-31 halftime lead. Punter, the No. 2 scorer in the SEC averaging 22.8 points per game, made his first seven shots and scored 18 of his 26 before the break.
His free throws with 13:03 left to play in the second half gave Tennessee a 64-34 advantage that Florida couldn't overcome.
"Coach needs me to attack, and I need to attack," Punter said. "Every day I work my butt off. I really don't worry about nonconference, in-conference. I just stayed focused on the next opponent and just try to go in and do the best I can."
The Vols have won all eight of their home games. They snapped a four-game losing streak to Florida (9-5, 1-1) by shooting 47 percent from the floor. The Gators shot 34 percent.
Tennessee freshman Admiral Schofield had 17 points and eight rebounds.
KeVaughn Allen led Florida with 18 points. Dorian Finney-Smith had 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Punter rested the final three minutes of the first half with two fouls, yet Tennessee's supporting cast extended the Vols' lead from 15 to 22 with a 10-3 run. Schofield, who had 15 in the half, hit a 3 from the top of the key for a 20-point lead with 1:40 left.
The Vols didn't play as crisply down the final stretch.
"We started turning the ball over and not executing," Barnes said. "But it was a great win for us. It really was. I'm really happy for our guys. … Without question, it was the best game we've played all year."