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Kentucky Completes Comeback Against No. 25 Tennessee, 74-71
Kentucky rallied to defeat No. 25 Tennessee 74-71 Saturday night at Rupp Arena,marking the second time this season the wildcats have overcome a double-digit deficit to beat the Volunteers. Otega Oweh led all scorers with 21 points, continuing a remarkable streak of consistent performance.
Oweh’s recent form has been pivotal for kentucky, as this game marked the fifth consecutive contest in which he has scored at least 20 points. The Wildcats, now 17-7 overall and 8-3 in Southeastern Conference play, also received critically important contributions from Denzel Aberdeen (16 points) and Malachi Moreno (10 points). Tennessee fell to 16-7, with a 6-4 conference record.
The game began with Tennessee scoring the first two points, but Oweh quickly responded to tie the score. A three-pointer pushed Tennessee ahead, and another extended their lead. Oweh made a basket to make it 25-18, but Tennessee responded with yet another three, extending their advantage to 10. Following a Kentucky timeout, Oweh scored underneath, and Aberdeen converted in the lane to cut the deficit to 28-22.A three-pointer from Tennessee was quickly answered by Aberdeen with a three of his own, making it 31-25. The Volunteers then scored five straight points to lead by 11.
collin Chandler hit a three-pointer, and Trent Noah added two free throws to reduce the Tennessee lead to 36-30. however, the Volunteers responded with another seven points to extend their lead to 13.A layup by Moreno brought Kentucky within 11, and after a Tennessee score, Moreno made one of two free throws, making the score 45-33. Tennessee entered halftime leading 47-33.
Oweh opened the second half with a dunk on a pass from Moreno.After a Tennessee free throw, Moreno hit two from the charity stripe to cut the deficit to 48-37.Tennessee scored to lead by 13 before Aberdeen and Jelavic scored for Kentucky to cut the deficit to 50-41. UT answered with four consecutive points to lead by 13 once more.
Chandler hit another three to make it 54-44. After a Tennessee free throw, Aberdeen hit a three to get Kentucky within eight. The Volunteers hit two free throws before Mo Dioubate scored twice in a row to make it 57-51. Jasper johnson hit two free throws to get Kentucky within four, and an Oweh dunk made it 57-55, forcing a Tennessee timeout with 9:25 to play.
The Volunteers scored out of the timeout, but Johnson scored on the other end to get the Cats back within two. Tennessee made one-of-two at the line before Oweh scored to get UK within one, 60-59. After a crucial defensive stop, Oweh scored on an acrobatic layup to give Kentucky a 61-60 lead. However, the Volunteers answered with five consecutive points to lead by four.
Kentucky clawed back with a free throw from Oweh and a putback by Garrison to get within one, 65-64, with 3:40 remaining. Tennessee hit two free throws before Moreno scored to get the Cats within one again. Aberdeen made two free throws to give Kentucky a 68-67 lead with 1:27 to play.The Volunteers responded with a basket with 59 seconds left, taking a one-point lead, 69-68.
After a Kentucky timeout, the Cats got a three-pointer from Chandler with 33 seconds remaining to lead 71-69. Kentucky secured a defensive stop, then Moreno made one-of-two at the line to extend the lead to 72-69. The Volunteers hit two free throws with 8.1 seconds left before Chandler was fouled with 7.3 seconds left. Chandler missed the free throw, but Dioubate secured the rebound and passed to Aberdeen, who was fouled with 3.7 seconds left. Aberdeen made both free throws, and Tennessee missed a mid-court shot as time expired, sealing the 74-71 victory for Kentucky.
Kentucky will return to action on Saturday, visiting Florida in Gainesville. Tipoff is set for 3 p
