Annapolis, MD (SportsNetwork.com) - Melvin Johnson scored 20 of his 23 points in the first half, Treveon Graham contributed a double-double and the 15th- ranked VCU Rams opened the season with an 85-69 win over the Tennessee Volunteers at the U.S. Naval Academy.

Graham finished with 15 points and 14 rebounds for the Rams (1-0), who were upset by Stephen F. Austin in their NCAA tournament opener last season.

VCU played without starting point guard Briante Weber. The senior missed Friday's game while serving a suspension for a violation of team rules.

Josh Richardson and Detrick Mostella scored 17 points apiece for Tennessee (0-1), which lost in Donnie Tyndall's coaching debut. Tyndall arrived from Southern Mississippi after Cuonzo Martin left for California and inherited a program coming off a run to the Sweet 16.

The Rams led 48-30 at halftime, but the Vols closed within 72-64 on a Richardson layup with 5:37 remaining. Mo Alie-Cox answered with two free throws and Doug Brooks drained a 3-pointer from the left corner to push VCU's advantage to 77-64.

Johnson knocked down another trey from the left corner to make it 80-66 with just under two minutes remaining.