No. 3-seed Tennessee opened its campaign to take the NCAA Tournament’s South Region by dominating No. 14-seed Longwood on Thursday, notching an 88-56 win at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Rick Barnes’ Vols got off to a strong start, putting up 54 points in the first half, a season-high, for a 25-point lead at the break (54-29). Josiah-Jordan James, John Fulkerson and Santiago Vescovi led the way to 54, combining for 40 on 15-for-20 shooting.

In the second half, Vescovi joined an exclusive club, hitting his 100th 3-pointer of the season. Vescovi joins Chris Lofton as the only other UT player to make 100 3-pointers in a single season. He heads into Saturday at 101 3-pointers.

Vescovi led all scorers with 18 points, coming off 6-of-8 3-point shooting. James, Fulkerson and Kennedy Chandler also finished in double figures.

The Vols shot 60 percent (33-of-55) from the floor while holding Longwood under 40 percent (20-of-52). UT was hot from behind the arc on Thursday, draining 14-of-24 3-pointers. Longwood was just 7-of-22 from 3-point territory. Barnes’ squad led by as many as 36 points and won the box score battles when it came to rebounds (32-24), assists (29-15) and steals (13-9) while committing fewer turnovers (16-12).

Tennessee is one win away from making the Sweet 16. UT will face No. 11-seed Michigan on Saturday in the Round of 32. The Wolverines upset Colorado State 75-63 earlier Thursday.