KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee is regaining its defensive identity just in time for the postseason.

Admiral Schofield scored 18 points in his final home game, and the fifth-ranked Volunteers beat Mississippi State 71-54 on Tuesday night for their 26th straight home victory.

Tennessee held Mississippi State to its lowest point total of the season. Three days earlier, Tennessee trounced No. 6 Kentucky 71-52 as the Wildcats had their lowest single-game scoring output since a 64-48 loss to Vanderbilt in the 2013 Southeastern Conference Tournament.

Tennessee (27-3, 15-2) moved into sole possession of first place in the SEC, a half-game ahead of No. 10 LSU, which plays at Florida on Wednesday.

The regular season ends Saturday when Tennessee visits Auburn and LSU hosts Vanderbilt. If the teams finish in a tie, LSU would get the No. 1 seed in the SEC Tournament next week because it beat Tennessee in their only meeting.

Tennessee shared the SEC title with Auburn last season and is seeking to win back-to-back conference championships for the first time.

“They’re a team that has a chance to go a long way in the NCAA Tournament this year, without a doubt,” Mississippi State coach Ben Howland said. “They’re very, very deep, skilled, tough, and really play well together.”

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Mississippi State hosts Texas A&M on Saturday.

Tennessee is at Auburn on Saturday.