Roper scores 15 as Brevard falls in exhibition to Tennessee

Schauss scores first points of the ball game in the 91-42 loss

Knoxville, Tenn. - Drew Schauss scored the first points for Brevard, but the Tornados fell in their final action of the 2010-2011 preseason to the University of Tennessee Volunteers, 91-42.

Josh Roper led Brevard with 15 points on the evening, while Jermichael Tanner added seven points, including a three-pointer from the left corner. Josh Jordan led Brevard in the middle with 12 rebounds, six offensive and six defensive, while Roper and Schauss each had two assists.

Scotty Hopson led four Volunteers in double figures with 17 points, going six of nine from the floor, including three of four from behind the arc. Tobias Harris added 16 points and five rebounds, while Trae Golden and Brian Williams had 11 points apiece. Renaldo Woolridge led the Volunteers on the glass as the hosts held the 54-40 rebounding edge in the game.

The game was scoreless throughout the first minute before Schauss put the Tornados in the lead with the first points of the game, connecting on a jumper in the short right corner to give Brevard the 2-0 lead. Tennessee responded as Goins stripped Tanner and put in the dunk to tie the game up at the 18 minute mark and then Tobias Harris connected on a jumper and completed the old-fashioned three-point play with a free throw, giving Tennessee their first lead of the contest. Roper connected on a three-point attempt from the top of the key to tie the ball game up, but Tennessee came back, scoring the next six points, going up 11-5 on a dunk by Williams.

Tennesee continued their run, going up 18-7 on a layup by Goins as the Volunteers defense forced nine BC turnovers in the first half to build a 26-11 lead. Tanner snapped a 3:08 scoreless streak for Brevard with a floater in the lane, while Roper and Schauss converted free throws to bring the score back to 37-16 with 2:05 to play in the half.

The Volunteers closed out the half with a 6-0 run capped by a layup by Harris and Roper missed a three-pointer at the buzzer as the teams headed into the locker rooms with the Volunteers up 43-16.

Roper led the Tornados at the half with eight points, going three of 12 from the floor, while Jordan led the way with seven rebounds. Harris was the Volunteers leader at the midway point with 12 points, while John Fields and Renaldo Woolridge both had five rebounds to lead Tennessee.

In the second half, the Volunteers outscored the Tornados 48-26 to claim the 91-42 victory. Roper led the Tornados with seven points in the second half, including the final points of the game on a breakaway layup to close out the game.

This concludes the Brevard preseason, as the Tornados open up the 2010-2011 regular season on Saturday, November 20th in Charlotte, N.C. as they travel to Time Warner Cable Arena to take on the Belmont Abbey Crusaders. Tipoff for the game is set for 2 p.m.