After getting out to an early lead, the Tennessee men’s basketball team collapsed Saturday and dropped a 70-55 Southeastern Conference decision to Kentucky at Thompson-Boling Arena.
The No. 19 Volunteers were up 10-8 early before the Wildcats stormed back, going on a 15-0 run.
The surge put Kentucky (8-13, 7-7 SEC) ahead 23-10, and from there the Wildcats never relinquished control of the contest.
Tennessee (15-6, 8-6) fell behind, 45-30, by halftime and trailed by as many as 20 points in the game.
The win helped the Wildcats salvage a season split with the Big Orange after the Vols posted a comeback victory in an earlier meeting at Rupp Arena in Lexington.
UT’s Victor Bailey Jr. had 18 points to lead all scorers. Keon Johnson added 15 points and Yves Pons finished with 10.
Isaiah Jackson paced the Wildcats with 16 points. Davion Mintz had 15, while Olivier Sarr and Keion Brooks Jr. scored 10 apiece.
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