Ellis, Alexander help No. 11 Kansas beat Tennessee 82-67 to reach Orlando Classic title game

Kansas forward Landen Lucas (33) fights for a rebound with Tennessee forward Dominic Woodson (55) and guard Devon Baulkman (34) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Friday, Nov. 28, 2014. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay) (The Associated Press)

Kansas guard Frank Mason III (0) drives to the net past Tennessee guard Josh Richardson (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Friday, Nov. 28, 2014. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay) (The Associated Press)

Perry Ellis scored 24 points, Cliff Alexander added 16 and No. 11 Kansas beat Tennessee 82-67 Friday in an Orlando Classic semifinal.

Frank Mason III had 11 points and seven assists for Kansas (4-1).

Tennessee (2-2) got 16 points from Josh Richardson, while Kevin Punter finished with 14.

After Tennessee's Armani Moore tied it with two free throws, Alexander's 3-point play keyed a 7-0 stretch as Kansas went ahead 69-62 with five minutes left.

Ellis' 3-point play made it 74-64 with two minutes to go.

Alexander had consecutive dunks to give Kansas a 53-40 lead 4 minutes into the second half. Mason set up both with nifty passes.

The Volunteers, as they had throughout the game, battled back to 54-53 with 12 minutes to play as Detrick Mostella made a pair of 3s and Richardson had a layup following a Kansas turnover.

Mostella had 13 points.

Dominic Woodson had two in-close baskets for Tennessee, while Kansas' Brannen Greene connected on a long-range jumper just before the shot clock expired as the Jayhawks cling to a narrow lead through the midpoint of the second half.

Perry had 11 points to help Kansas grab a 40-33 halftime lead.

A wild final few minutes saw Tennessee pull to 35-31 after Punter made a layup and hit two free throws after a flagrant foul call. Richardson then had a basket on the ensuing possession.

Kansas responded by getting a 3 by Svi Mykhailiuk and Devonte Graham's slam.

TIP-INS

Kansas: The Jayhawks reached the semifinals by beating Rhode Island 76-60 Thursday. ... Kansas is 34-6 in in-season tournament games under coach Bill Self. ... The Jayhawks are 4-1 or better for 10th time in Self's 12 years at the school.

Tennessee: The Volunteers topped Santa Clara 64-57 in their tourney opening game Thursday. ... Tennessee was called for 28 fouls. The Volunteers entered averaging 26.3, which was second-most in the country.

UP NEXT

Kansas will face either No. 20 Michigan State or Marquette in Sunday's championship game.

Tennessee will play in Sunday's third-place game.