Could this be a turning point for cats?
saturday afternoon, Kentucky men’s basketball came into Thompson-Boling Arena as a double-digit underdog but managed to upset the No. 5 Tennessee Volunteers (14-3; 4-1 SEC) by a score of 63-56. The win moved UK to 11-6 on the season with a 2-3 mark in the SEC. Without a doubt, this was the biggest and most important victory of the year for the Wildcats.
Kentucky shot only 35 percent from the floor overall compared to Tennessee’s 40 percent but outscored the Folders 43-23, got 11 more points off the bench, and shot an uncharacteristically 22-25 from the free throw line. The Wildcats trio finished in double figures, led by 18 points and four rebounds Antonio Reeves. Oscar Chibuy Scored 15 points and grabbed 13 rebounds CJ Frederick He added 13 points of his own.
The opening stretch of this game looked like another blast is on the way for the ‘Cats. Tennessee took a quick 8-0 lead before Kentucky got on the board. But once they did, the game officially began. UK responded with a score of 10-0 to take the lead as both sides began to trade shots.
Over the next nine minutes, neither team could build a solid lead with the score going back and forth. Kentucky eventually began to break away, building an eight-point advantage, 31-23, with less than 90 seconds until halftime. The Cats would eventually take a 33-26 lead at the break despite shooting to only 36.7 percent from the floor compared to the Premiers’ 44.0 percent.
Frederick led the way after 20 minutes of play with 10 points, two of which were scored on three-pointers, while Chibui had eight points and eight rebounds. UK outscored UT 22-10 at halftime.
Tshiebwe started the second half with a layup that gave Kentucky their biggest lead of the afternoon in the ninth, but the Cats couldn’t add to it. Tennessee continued to fight back, even taking a 43-41 lead with less than 10 minutes left in regulation. At that point, UK scored just six points over almost nine minutes before getting back into the rhythm.
Seven consecutive solo points by Reeves put the Cats ahead 48-45. Tennessee responded though, tying the score at 48 with six minutes left in the game. This is when Kentucky went for the final blow. Britain’s 10-2 led to eight points with about three minutes remaining. However, another ill-timed drought gave Foles a chance. With less than 60 seconds left, the Cats were barely holding on to a 58-56 lead after a 6-0 Tennessee run.
Casson Wallace He would turn the ball over on the UK possession, but Tennessee fouled on the other end as Chipui devoured the rebound and connected on one of two free throws to make it 59-56 with 30 seconds on the clock. The Vols would miss offense again with a chance to tie it up as Kentucky collected the game on charity tape, and pulled off a much-needed 63-56 victory.
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