KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - The North Carolina A&T men's basketball team turned the ball over 23 times in the first half and the 16^th ranked Tennessee Volunteers used the Aggies   generosity to earn a 99-78 win Wednesday night at Thompson-Boling Arena.

The Aggies were led by Dwane Joshua's 20 points. Thomas Coleman added 16 points and four blocks, while Tavarus Alston ended the night with 15 points and five assists. Tyler Smith and Kenny Hall led the Volunteers with 16 points apiece.

"My kids are truly troopers,'' said N.C. A&T head coach Jerry Eaves. "But to ask them to come in here and play in this type of hostile environment after playing at an ACC school two nights before might have been a bit much. I put that on myself."

Tennessee's full-court pressure took effect early. The Aggies turned the ball over 12 times in the first 6 ½ minutes of the game. By the time the Aggies scored their first field goal on an Alston 3-pointer at the 13:13 mark of the first half, the Vols already had a 22-3 lead.

The Aggies scored 51 points in the second half, outscoring the Vols by seven. The Aggies have one more road game before conference play as they face Tulane on Dec. 30. N.C. A&T has not played at home since Nov. 23.

"The road has truly taken its toll on my team,'' said Eaves. "I'm proud of the way they played in the second half. We have to learn how to play better on the road, but it will sure be nice to get back to Corbett Sports Center."