Starkville, MS (SportsNetwork.com) - Kevin Punter notched 15 points as the Tennessee Volunteers took care of the Mississippi State Bulldogs, 61-47, in SEC action at Humphrey Coliseum.

Josh Richardson logged 11 points for the Volunteers (9-4, 1-0 SEC), who have won five in a row. Devon Baulkman added 10 points and Derek Reese grabbed 10 rebounds and tallied eight points off the bench.

Gavin Ware tallied 12 points and nine rebounds for the Bulldogs (7-7, 0-1), who have lost two of their last three.

The Bulldogs struggled out of the gate, shooting just 33.3 percent from the field in the opening half. The visitors shot at a 40 percent clip and were up 26-23 at halftime.

The Volunteers dipped to 35.4 percent from the floor in the second half, but the home team was even less consistent, shooting just 27.8 percent, making only five shots from the field. The visitors led by as many as 18 points midway through the period.

The Vols were hungry on the boards, out-rebounding the opposition 44-28 in the lopsided win.