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Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY 2-11-25

The ‘Cats defeated the No. 4 Tennessee Volunteers by a score of 75-64 in a huge home win on Tuesday night in Rupp Arena. Despite the snowy weather, Big Blue Nation showed up in a big way during the game on Tuesday. The building erupted during big moments and propelled the team to the best home win of the season. Tennessee entered the game ranked No. 4 in the country and on a 3-game winning streak, with their last loss coming at home to the ‘Cats. In that three-game stretch they defeated Florida, Missouri, and Oklahoma. In the game in Knoxville, the Volunteers threw up 45 three-pointers in the game and shot just 24% from beyond the arc in a 5-point loss, 78-73. Tennessee didn’t shoot any better from the three-point line at Rupp Arena, shooting just 18% (3 of 18) in the game. It was one of the best defensive performances of the season for Kentucky, coming off their best of the season against South Carolina last Saturday. The night was highlighted by Harlan County Native Trent Noah, who excelled on both ends of the floor. Noah scored a career high 11 points in the game in 19-minutes of action and defended Chaz Lanier, the Volunteers leading scorer, for most of the night. Lyon County native Travis Perry also scored a career-high 8 points in the game in 12-minutes of action, spelling Butler throughout the game and after Butler’s injury late in the second half. Lamont Butler had begun to settle back into the offense, but fell hard on the floor late in the second half and did not return to the game. Pope will update his status in the coming days. The ‘Cats were also without sharp-shooter Jaxson Robinson on Tuesday night, who missed with a wrist injury. Overall, Ansley Almonor and Otega Oweh led Kentucky scorers with 13 points in the game. Oweh took over at point guard at times after Butler went down and was able to control the offense well in conjunction with Amari Williams in the point forward role. It was another physical game against Tennessee, but the ‘Cats responded well throughout the night and were able to shoot their way to a massive 75-64 win.

The spread for Tuesday nights matchup against Tennessee was -3.5 (Tennessee). The Over/Under points total was set at 146.5.

The starting lineup for the ‘Cats featured Lamont Butler, Otega Oweh, Koby Brea, Ansley Almonor, and Amari Williams.

Game Recap:

First Half

Tennessee won the tip and Butler stole the ball from Zeigler for a transition score for the first points of the game. The ‘Cats got another steal and had great ball movement for an easy Oweh layup score. Williams got a big rebound and found a cutting Almonor, who was fouled and went to the line for two shots. Almonor made both free-throws to give Kentucky a 6-0 lead. Tennessee scored the first points of the game on a putback and Almonor fouled Milicic to add a free-throw. Okpara was fouled and hit two free-throws to bring the score to 6-5 ‘Cats. Brea curled to the paint and scored on a floater. Zeigler drove in a scored on a runner to bring the score to 8-7 ‘Cats. Perry had a three just rim out on the other end. After a physical stretch of no fouls being called, Garrison was called for a questionable foul call on Zeigler to give Tennessee the 9-8 lead. Brea came off a screen off the dribble and nailed a three for Kentucky. Butler found Noah for a long three to erupt the crowd and give Kentucky a 14-9 lead. The ‘Cats led 14-11 at the 10-minute mark in the first half. Williams picked up his second foul of the half with 10-minutes to play. The ‘Cats displayed good ball movement once again on the other end with a Chandler pass that ended with a Garrison slam. Trent Noah locked up his defender to cause a walk on the next defensive possession. Butler drove in an put it in for a 18-13 ‘Cats lead. Lanier responded with a mid-range jumper. Okpara caught a Zeigler pass for a slam on the next trip. Kentucky led 18-17 at the under 8-minute media timeout. Garrison gained a rebound and Oweh pulled up for an open three for a 21-17 ‘Cats lead. Phillips and Okpara scored and tied the game at 21. Oweh gathered a loose ball and found Perry for a deep three. Zeigler responded with a score. Noah missed a three but then Williams found him in the corner and he nailed his second of the half. The ‘Cats led 27-23 at the under 4-minute media timeout. Phillips was fouled on another questionable call on Garrison and hit 1 of 2 at the line. Noah nailed another rhythm three off an Oweh pass to push the score to 30-24 Kentucky. Garrison nailed a three after peeling off a screen with Butler as Rupp Arena exploded into a Tennessee timeout with Kentucky leading 33-24. Okpara was called for a goaltend to award the ‘Cats two more points. Almonor was called for another odd call on a box out attempt that gave Okpara free-throws. Okpara made both to bring the score to 35-26 Kentucky. The ‘Cats couldn’t score on the last possession and after review, the referee crew took the goaltend call off the board. The ‘Cats took a 33-26 lead into the half.

It was a half of big threes from the Freshman from Kentucky in the first half. Trent Noah led all scorers with 9 first half points on 3 of 4 shooting from beyond the arc. Travis Perry also added a three as the ‘Cats totaled 7 in the first half as a team. The ‘Cats shot 41% from the field and 50% (7 of 14) from three. The Kentucky defense was locked in, holding Tennessee to 35% shooting from the field and 0% (0 of 5) from three. Kentucky looks to keep the offensive and defensive pressure going in the second half.

Halftime: Kentucky 33 – Tennessee 26

Second Half

The ‘Cats started with the ball in the second half and Williams backed down Okpara to score to give the ‘Cats a 35-26 lead. Milicic nailed a three for Tennessee’s first points of the second half. Zeigler scored on the next trip after a Kentucky turnover and Almonor responded with a three wide open in the corner. Williams put a move on Okpara and scored again to make it 40-31 Kentucky. Lanier was fouled and hit two free-throws. Zeigler pulled up for a mid-range jumper. Almonor nailed a three at the top of the key. Butler wrapped up Zeigler but was called for a bad foul to send Zeigler to the line. He hit 1 of 2 to bring the score to 43-36 with 16-minutes to play. Perry turned it over and Milicic scored in transition. Almonor followed a weak-side Brea miss with a putback. Milicic nailed a three on the other end. Perry nailed a deep three with Zeigler in his face to keep the ‘Cats with a 48-41 lead. Perry drove it in and scored on a floater in response to a Zeigler make. Tennessee scored on back-to-back possessions to bring the score to 50-47 ‘Cats. Sloppy offensive play led to empty possessions for Kentucky and easy buckets for the Volunteers. Carr lost the handle and gave the ball back to Tennessee following the timeout. The ‘Cats had 4 turnovers in the first 9-minutes of the second half to just one for Tennessee. Williams left his feet on the defensive end to send Milicic to the line for two free-throws. He missed both free-throws. Butler stole a pass and found Oweh for a slam in transition. Lanier responded with a mid-range jumper. Butler curled and scored at the rim through contact. Milicic scored a three off a screen at the top of the key. Butler dove for a loose ball and fell on his previously injured shoulder and left the game to head to the locker room. Oweh fouled Phillips and sent him to the line for two shots. Phillips hit both and tied the game at 54 with 8-minutes to play. Oweh was fouled heading into the under 8-minute media timeout. Oweh hit 1 of 2 at the line. Gainey scored to give Tennessee just their second lead of the game at 56-55. Zeigler went coast to coast for a score after a Garrison missed layup. Almonor drove in and scored with a foul to head to the line to tie the game. He hit the free throw to tie the game at 58. Tennessee got two rounds of offensive boards and Zeigler drove by Williams for a score on a possession that Tennessee had the ball for over a minute of game time. Brea dribbled and nailed a step-back three over Tennessee’s best defender in Mashack for a 61-60 ‘Cats lead. The ‘Cats defense forced a Zeigler turnover to head into the under 4-minute media timeout. Williams turned and drove it to the rim and was fouled after converting the layup. The ‘Cats led 63-60 after the missed free-throw. Noah cut to the basket and just missed a layup but got the foul call to head to the line. Noah hit both free-throws to give Kentucky a 65-60 lead. Brea pulled up off the dribble for a deep three for the ‘Cats. Brea drove in and found a cutting Oweh for a flying slam to give Kentucky a 70-62 lead with just over a minute to play. The ‘Cats exploded for a 12-2 run over the last 3-minutes of action with a lineup of Oweh, Brea, Noah, Carr, and Williams. Williams fouled Lanier on a mid-range jumper after leaving his feet once again. Lanier hit both free-throws to make it a 70-64 Kentucky lead. Oweh was fouled by Zeigler bringing the ball down the court to head to the line for free-throws. Oweh hit both free-throws. Lanier missed a three and Carr fond the rebound and was fouled to send the ‘Cats back to the line. Carr hit both free-throws. Lanier again missed a three and Oweh collected the rebound and was fouled once again. Oweh hit 1 of 2 at the line and the Volunteers missed another shot on the other end. Kentucky went on to beat Tennessee by a score of 75-64.

Final: Kentucky 75 – Tennessee 64

Game Stats:

Tennessee FG %: 43% (17% 3PT – 3 of 18) (79% FT – 15 of 19)

Kentucky FG %: 50% (50% 3PT – 12 of 24) (79% FT – 11 of 14)

Rebounds: 33 – 26 Tennessee

Assist/Turnover Ratio: 13:8

Turnovers: UK (8), Tennessee (9)

Bench Points: 26 – 13 Kentucky

Points off Turnovers: 12 – 8 Kentucky

Fast Break Points: 15 – 6 Kentucky

Paint Points: 32 – 28 Tennessee

Player Stats:

Otega Oweh – [(13 points) (6 rebounds) (2 assists) (2 blocks)]

Ansley Almonor – [(13 points) (1 rebound)]

Koby Brea – [(11 points) (1 rebound) (2 assists) (2 steals)]

Trent Noah – [(11 points) (2 rebounds) (1 assist)]

Travis Perry – [(8 points)]

Amari Williams – [(6 points) (3 rebounds) (2 assists) (1 block)]

Lamont Butler – [(6 points) (3 rebounds) (4 assists) (3 steals)]

Brandon Garrison – [(5 points) (5 rebounds) (1 assist) (1 block)]

Andrew Carr – [(2 points) (2 rebounds)]

Collin Chandler – [(1 assist)]

Next Game:

The ‘Cats (17-7, 6-5 SEC) will hit the road and head to Austin, Texas to take on the Texas Longhorns (15-9, 4-7 SEC) on Saturday, February 15. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. EST. The game will be televised on ESPN.