The University of Tennessee men’s basketball team faced a tough defeat against No. 12 Kentucky, falling 78-73 in a thrilling game played at the Food City Center in front of a lively crowd of 22,272, which surpassed its capacity. With this result, the eighth-ranked Volunteers dropped to a record of 17-4, 4-4 within the SEC.
Kentucky got off to a fast start, making 4-of-5 attempts from beyond the arc and quickly establishing a 12-4 lead. Tennessee fought back to briefly take the lead with an 11-0 run in the closing minutes of the first half, leading 33-30 at halftime, despite a challenging shooting start. Out of the halftime break, Kentucky surged again, extending their lead to 55-44 after making seven consecutive field goals, with an impressive performance from the three-point line.
Despite Kentucky’s lead, Tennessee showed resilience, narrowing the gap late in the game. Graduate guard Jaxson Robinson’s late free throws allowed the Volunteers to close in, but Kentucky sealed the win by capitalizing on free throw opportunities, striking 7-of-8 from the foul line in the final moments while holding Tennessee to a mere 1-of-12 shooting from the field during the last few minutes.
Tennessee’s performance featured standout players: Miličić led the team with 19 points and added nine rebounds and four assists, while Lanier contributed 15 points. Zeigler, who continued to make history as the second SEC player to accumulate over 1,300 points, 600 assists, and 200 steals, made an impactful return from injury in the game.
Kentucky’s Brea topped the scoreboard with 18 points, supported by Robinson’s 17 points. Overall, Tennessee struggled with their three-point shooting, making only 11 of their 45 attempts while Kentucky excelled with a 50% shooting from long range.
Looking ahead, the Volunteers will seek redemption this Saturday in another crucial SEC matchup against No. 5/6 Florida. As they prepare for this top-tier contest, Tennessee must focus on refining their shooting accuracy and maintaining defensive pressure, characteristics they have demonstrated throughout the season.
As a positive takeaway, Tennessee displayed their capability for strong comebacks, and with continued development and cohesion, they can look forward to a robust end to their season.