SEATTLE — Tennessee stumbled out of the gate with an 11 p.m. Eastern tip-off, but the Vols rallied to erase a 19-point Gonzaga lead. But then the host Zags executed in the closing minutes to hang on for an 86-79 win Saturday night in front a sold out KeyArena crowd of 16,770, the biggest in the Battle in Seattle's 12-year history.

Tennessee senior wing Armani Moore

Sophomore forward Domantas Sabonis was dominant for Gonzaga (8-3), scoring a career-high 36 points and grabbing 16 rebounds. Senior forward Kyle Wiltjer, a transfer from Kentucky, added 24 points and six rebounds.

Tennessee (5-5) got 23 points from senior point guard Kevin Punter, giving him 20 or more points in seven consecutive games. Senior guard Devon Baulkman added 17 points, senior wing Armani Moore had 16 and sophomore guard Detrick Mostella scored 12.

Sabonis put Gonzaga up for good with a baseline hook shot with one minute, 43 seconds to play, and Wiltjer added two free throws 40 seconds later to build the lead to 79-75. Tennessee turned it over on its following possession.

The Vols came out of the locker room with a 28-10 run to start the second half, taking a 61-59 lead on Baulkman's corner 3-pointer with 9:43 left.

Sabonis had 20 points and seven rebounds in the first half as Gonzaga sprinted out of the gate to take a 49-33 lead at the break. He had 16 points and six rebounds in the first 13:50, making six of his eight shots from the field. Wiltjer had 12 first-half points.

Tennessee started cold as Gonzaga distanced itself. The Vols made 37.5 percent (12 of 32) of their shots from the field. Punter had 13 before the half and Baulkman added seven.

First-year coach Rick Barnes and his Vols return home to face East Tennessee State (5-7) on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Eastern. The Buccaneers are coached by former Vols assistant Steve Forbes, and former Vols assistant Jason Shay also is on the staff.

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Grant Ramey covers Tennessee basketball for The Knoxville News Sentinel, a partner of 247Sports. Follow him on Twitter HERE