College basketball: No. 16 Tennessee gets 88-71 win over Charlotte

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Wayne Chism scored 18 points, leading shorthanded Tennessee to an 88-71 victory over Charlotte on Wednesday night.

The 16th-ranked Vols (11-2) were without Tyler Smith, Cameron Tatum, Brian Williams and Melvin Goins, who combine to average 32.2 points, 14.7 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game. Coach Bruce Pearl indefinitely suspended the four after they were arrested Friday on gun and drug charges.

In their place, Pearl used a rotation of his only six scholarship players available and three walk-ons against the 49ers (10-4), a team that had upset Louisville by 22 earlier this season.

Tennessee shot 59.4 percent in the first half, and a three-point play by Bobby Maze gave Tennessee a 54-29 lead just after halftime. Charlotte answered with a 21-2 run.

DiJuan Harris led the 49ers with 16 points.