Written by: Ainsley Saurers
No. 15 Kentucky men’s basketball hosted No. 5 Tennessee Volunteers on Tuesday, securing a
75-64 win. Otega Oweh and Ansley Almonor led the way scoring 13 points each.
The Cats took the court with the starting lineup of Oweh, Lamont Butler, Koby Brea, Almonor,
and Amari Williams.
Kentucky got to work quickly going on a 6-0 run to get things started, but Tennessee quickly
responded, closing the gap to get within one. Brea landed a basket extending the Cats lead,
8-5. The Vols briefly took the lead with free throws, however Brea reclaimed the advantage with
a three.
Tennessee began to fight back going on a 4-0 run before a Brandon Garrison dunk and Butler
layup halted the momentum. Tennessee responded, narrowing the gap once more with another
four in a row, 18-17.
Oweh went to work draining a three, but it didn’t do much when the Vols found themselves going
on another 4-0 run to tie the game. After a couple of free throws from the Vols, Trent Noah and
Garrison had each sank a three, pushing Tennessee into a timeout.
Coming out of the time out, the Vols wrapped the first half up with a couple free throws, but
Kentucky still held the lead entering halftime, 33-26.
Williams opened the second half for Kentucky, but the Vols got within four going on a 5-0 run.
Almonor hit a three followed by Williams scoring on a jump hook, extending the Cats lead,
40-31.
After a few Tennessee baskets, Almonor landed another three keeping the momentum for the
Cats. Tennessee answered, scoring the next three points before Almonor tapped the ball into
hoop for the Cats, 45-38.
The teams exchanged threes and the Vols went on a 6-2 run to get within three, 50-47. Another
set of exchanged baskets led to a layup from Butler. The Vols still had some fight left answering
with a three and two free throws tying the game 54-54.
Oweh made a free throw that nudged the Cats into the lead by one, 55-54. However, the Vols
took control scoring the next four points and taking the lead, 58-55. Almonor tied it up 58-58.
The Vols only managed to score one more basket before Brea took the lead back for the Cats
flicking a three into the hoop. This kickstarted a 7-0 run pushing the Cats even further into the
lead 65-60. Brea landed another three following a Tennessee basket and Oweh managed to
score off a lob with a little over one minute remaining.
The Vols managed two free throws, but Oweh tucked the game away with a pair of his own.
Kentucky will be on the road this Saturday to play Texas in Austin. Tipoff will be at 8 p.m.
