KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee guard Antonio Barton lost his starting spot and his shooting touch during a difficult senior season, but the Memphis transfer finally is back on the upswing.
His resurgence comes just in time to help his new team make a late push for an NCAA tournament bid.
After returning to the Tennessee (18-11, 9-7 SEC) starting lineup last week, Barton had a season-high 21 points and a career-high six assists Saturday in a 76-38 blowout of Vanderbilt. Barton will attempt to carry that momentum into Wednesday night's game at Auburn (13-14, 5-11).
Barton shot 11 of 54 overall and 3 of 29 from 3-point range during a recent nine-game stretch in which Tennessee went 4-5. But he kept battling and is now playing his best basketball of the season.
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