Sweet 16: Kentucky vs. Tennessee score updated after halftime review

What looked like a 14-point Tennessee lead at halftime against Kentucky in the Sweet 16 turned into 15 points. The officials updated the score after reviewing a late three from Otega Oweh.

Oweh pulled up for a jump shot from the top of the key with 29 seconds left, and at the time, it made it a 41-26 ballgame. A Collin Chandler three-point shot at the buzzer appeared to cut the Tennessee lead to 41-29 heading into the break.

However, the officials went to the monitor at Lucas Oil Stadium and changed Oweh’s shot after finding his foot was on the line. It became a two-point jumper, making it a 43-28 Tennessee lead at halftime.

Officials confirm Otega Oweh's three-pointer late in the first half was a two.

Score is now Tennessee 43, Kentucky 28.

— Nick Schultz (@NickSchultz_7) March 29, 2025

The Tennessee defense was in full control during the first half of Friday’s game, holding Kentucky to 10-for-26 shooting. At one point, only four Wildcats had field goals. Amari Williams led the charge for UK with nine points while Oweh had seven.

On offense, Zakai Zeigler got things going in a big way through the first 20 minutes. He had 13 points and four assists while facilitating an offense that went 16-for-32 from the field, despite a 3-of-11 showing from three-point distance. Felix Okpara also had a big half for Tennessee with six points and seven rebounds.

Friday’s Sweet 16 game marked an intriguing matchup for multiple reasons. Not only was a spot in the Midwest Regional final on the line, but the stakes were even higher for the fan bases. The Kentucky-Tennessee rivalry is one of the best in the SEC, and Vols head coach Rick Barnes knew both teams’ fans would show out.

“People are going to be excited,” Barnes said during his Thursday press conference before practice. “Both teams are going to be excited. And obviously I would assume this is the first time that both teams have ever met in a regional, a first-round game of a regional.

“I just know that both teams – I expect them to be at their very best and I think they would expect the same from us. And how each guy handles that after this many games, I wouldn’t think it would be something they’re going to be too overly amped about. I think you’ve got to be on edge obviously, but our goal is that we can improve – we’ve got one more practice before we play them – that we can improve today and be ready to go tomorrow.”