KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — Pellissippi State defeated Volunteer State 78-68 in a men’s junior college basketball game Saturday.

The Panthers used a dominant first quarter, outscoring the Pioneers 47-33, to build a cushion they would not relinquish. Volunteer State won the second quarter 35-31 but could not overcome the early deficit. The result improved Pellissippi State’s record to 3-12, while Volunteer State fell to 3-8. The game’s outcome contrasted with a national statistical projection that had heavily favored a Pellissippi State win but predicted a higher-scoring affair. The teams are scheduled to meet again on Feb. 21 at Volunteer State.