Kentucky earns season-changing win in 63-56 victory over No. 5 Tennessee

Could this be a turning point for the ‘Cats?

On 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 final score of 63-56. The win moves 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 just 35 percent from the floor overall compared to 40 percent for Tennessee but outrebounded the Vols 43-23, received 11 more points off the bench, and shot an uncharacteristically efficient 22-25 from the free-throw line. A trio of Wildcats finished in double-figures, led by 18 points and four rebounds from Antonio Reeves. Oscar Tshiebwe posted 15 points and 13 rebounds while CJ Fredrick added 13 points of his own.

The opening stretch of this game felt like another blowout was on the way for the ‘Cats. Tennessee burst out to a quick 8-0 lead before Kentucky finally got on the board. But once they did, the game was officially on. UK countered with a 10-0 run to go in front as the two sides began to trade shots.

Over the next nine minutes, neither team could establish a solid lead with the score shifting back and forth. Kentucky eventually began to break away, building an eight-point advantage, 31-23, with under 90 seconds until the halftime break. The ‘Cats would ultimately take a 33-26 lead into the intermission despite shooting just 36.7 percent from the floor compared to 44.0 percent for the Vols.

Fredrick was leading the way after 20 minutes of action with 10 points, including two made triples, while Tshiebwe chipped in eight points and eight rebounds. UK outrebounded UT 22-10 in the opening half.

Tshiebwe kicked off the second half with a layup that gave Kentucky its largest lead of the afternoon at nine, but the ‘Cats couldn’t add to it. Tennessee continued to fight, even taking a 43-41 lead with under 10 minutes left in regulation. At that point, UK had scored just six points over a nearly nine-minute span before getting back into a rhythm.

Seven straight individual points from Reeves put the ‘Cats back ahead 48-45. Tennessee responded though to knot the score at 48 all with six minutes to go. That’s when Kentucky went for the final blow. A 10-2 run from UK made it an eight-point advantage with about three minutes remaining. However, another poorly-timed scoring drought gave the Vols a chance. With under 60 seconds left, the ‘Cats were barely holding on to a 58-56 lead following a 6-0 Tennessee run.

Cason Wallace would turn the ball over on an ensuing possession for UK, but Tennessee missed on the other end as Tshiebwe gobbled up 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 on offense once again with a chance to tie it up as Kentucky iced the game at the charity stripe, earning a much-needed 63-56 victory.