KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Bobby Maze hit a key 3-pointer and No. 16 Tennessee held on to avoid Belmont's upset bid, 79-77 today.

The Volunteers (8-2) had to rally from a six-point second-half deficit to get by a senior-laden Bruins team that had its chances in the closing seconds. Belmont cut a 75-69 deficit to one with 2:10 remaining, but Maze buried a 3-pointer to give the Vols a 78-74 cushion.

Maze finished with 13 points and Wayne Chism a team-high 12 rebounds.

Tyler Smith added a season-high 23-points and eight rebounds to help the Vols improve its home winning streak to 36 games.

Senior guard Alex Renfroe had a career-high 30 points for the Bruins, but missed three crucial free throws in the final 7.9 seconds.