ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) When shots stopped falling and an 18-point lead nearly slipped away, Tennessee did the one thing it does best: clamp down on defense.

Tyreke Key scored 12 points, Jahmai Mashack added 11 and the fourth-seeded Volunteers withstood a late scare to hold off Louisiana-Lafayette 58-55 in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday night.

The Ragin’ Cajuns (26-8) whittled an 18-point deficit to three in the final minute - creating some tense moments that included a couple of technical fouls - but the Volunteers (24-10) closed it out by forcing tough shots and making just enough free throws.