NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Chris Lofton scored 21 points to help No. 11 Tennessee erase a 16-point second-half deficit and beat Vanderbilt 68-59 on Saturday.

C.J. Watson added 11 points for Tennessee (21-6, 12-4 Southeastern Conference). Andre Patterson and Major Wingate scored 10 points each for the Vols.

Shan Foster led Vanderbilt (16-11, 7-9) with 15 points and DeMarre Carroll had 10 points and 11 rebounds. Julian Terrell scored 10 points.

Vanderbilt shot just 33 percent from the floor and committed 16 turnovers.

Dane Bradshaw and Lofton hit key three-pointers in the final two minutes to lift Tennessee to the victory before a sellout crowd at Vanderbilt’s Memorial Gym.

Tennessee took the lead for good at 56-55 on a steal and slam by Andre Patterson with 2:50 to play. The Vols closed the game on a 14-4 run.

Tennessee trailed 37-21 early in the second half, but a 10-0 run minutes later tied the game at 44-44 on a Lofton layup. Tennessee’s pressure defense led to several turnovers and quick baskets for the Vols.

Vanderbilt survived a scoring drought for 6:30 in the first half and took a 31-21 lead at the half. Tennessee shot just 28 percent from the floor and committed nine turnovers in the first half.

Tennessee won the first meeting this season between the cross-state rivals 69-62.

The Vols will have a first round bye in the Southeastern Conference Tournament after grabbing the SEC Eastern Division crown for the first time since 2000.

AP-ES-03-04-06 1623EST