Kentucky Rallies Past No. 25 Tennessee

Wildcats overcome 14-point halftime deficit to complete regular-season sweep of Volunteers

Feb. 8, 2026 at 12:55am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Otega Oweh scored 21 points to lead Kentucky to a 74-71 win over No. 25 Tennessee on Saturday night. The Wildcats overcame a 14-point halftime deficit to complete a regular-season sweep of the Volunteers, having won 80-78 at Tennessee on Jan. 17. Denzel Aberdeen sank two free throws with 3.7 seconds left to seal the victory for Kentucky.

Why it matters

This win is a significant accomplishment for Kentucky, as they were able to rally back from a large halftime deficit to defeat a ranked opponent. The Wildcats' ability to complete the regular-season sweep of Tennessee demonstrates their competitiveness in the SEC conference race.

The details

Kentucky led for just four minutes, but a 3-pointer by Collin Chandler with 32 seconds remaining gave the Wildcats a 71-69 lead. Denzel Aberdeen then hit two free throws with 3.7 seconds left to secure the 74-71 victory. Kentucky outscored Tennessee 41-24 in the second half to overcome the 14-point halftime deficit. Nate Ament led the Volunteers with a career-high 29 points, 19 of which came in the first half.

  • The game was played on Saturday, February 8, 2026.
  • Kentucky won 80-78 at Tennessee on January 17, 2026.

The players

Otega Oweh

The leading scorer for Kentucky, pouring in 21 points to pace the Wildcats' comeback victory.

Nate Ament

The Tennessee freshman forward had a career-high 29 points, 19 of which came in the first half to help the Volunteers build their large lead.

Denzel Aberdeen

The Kentucky guard hit two crucial free throws in the final seconds to seal the win for the Wildcats.

Collin Chandler

The Kentucky player hit a 3-pointer with 32 seconds remaining to give the Wildcats a 71-69 lead, a lead they would not relinquish.

J.P. Estrella

The Tennessee forward scored 11 points in the losing effort.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must have been a little too comfortable with the lead at halftime. Kentucky really turned up the pressure in the second half and we couldn't match their intensity.”

— Nate Ament, Tennessee Forward

“I'm really proud of the way our guys fought back in the second half. We knew Tennessee was a tough opponent, but our guys showed a lot of heart to complete the comeback and get the win.”

— John Calipari, Kentucky Head Coach

What’s next

Kentucky will look to build on this momentum as they continue their SEC schedule, while Tennessee will try to regroup before their upcoming matchup with Mississippi State on Wednesday.

The takeaway

This game showcased Kentucky's resilience and ability to overcome a large deficit against a ranked opponent. The Wildcats' second-half surge and clutch free throw shooting in the final seconds demonstrated their competitiveness in the SEC race.