Scotty Hopson’s layup with seven seconds left gave Tennessee the lead for keeps, the No. 18 Volunteers snapping a three-game losing streak with a 66-65 victory over Belmont on Thursday in Knoxville. In a game where the lead changed hands four times in the final 49 seconds, Hopson’s layup gave the Volunteers (8-3) a one-point lead. Belmont had one final possession, but Kerron Johnson missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Belmont came in seventh in the nation in scoring at 84.8 points per game. The Volunteers held the Bruins to just three points during the final 7:01 of the first half, building a 35-23 halftime lead. But Belmont hit its first four shots of the second half, scoring nine unanswered points to pull within 35-32. Tennessee would push its lead back to eight but again the Bruins rallied to set up the frantic finish.

Jon House’s basket with 49 seconds left pushed the Bruins ahead, 63-62. Hopson was fouled 11 seconds later, making both free throws to put the Volunteers up 64-63. On the ensuing possession, Mick Hedgeperth’s layup gave Belmont a 65-64 lead.

Hopson, who scored a game-high 19 points, delivered the game-winner on the ensuing possession. Tobias Harris added 17 points for Tennessee, which won for the first time since Dec. 11 despite shooting just 37.7 percent from the field and missing 15 free throws.

Scott Saunders led Belmont (9-3) with 12 points.