Feb. 23, 2000
By TERESA M. WALKER
AP Sports Writer
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – To seventh-ranked Tennessee, quicker is better.
Tony Harris scored 27 points as the Volunteers returned to their up-tempogame and beat No. 18 Kentucky 74-67 Wednesday night, tying a school record forvictories in a season.
Isiah Victor added 22 points.
“It was good to see Tony Harris and Isiah Victor back on their game,”Tennessee coach Jerry Green said. “We do better when they bring their Agame.”
The Volunteers (22-4, 10-3 Southeastern Conference) had won 22 games in aseason only twice before, the last in 1984-85. That season the Vols also lost15 games.
But tying the record was the least of the current Vols’ concerns.
They were coming off an embarrassing loss to instate rival Vanderbilt, whichslowed them down using a zone defense, and they were trying to hold onto atleast a share of the lead in the SEC’s Eastern Division against a team that hasa winning record in Knoxville – Kentucky (19-8, 9-4).
“We needed a big win to bounce back from that loss because it really hurtus down there,” said Harris, who hit seven of eight free throws and six 3safter scoring just three points at Vandy.
“We didn’t play the way we wanted to. We’re just glad we could get thisvictory.”
The Wildcats beat Tennessee 81-68 at Rupp Arena on Feb. 1 and looked readyto sweep the Vols as they scored the first six points.
Then the Vols, who started the game slowly bringing the ball up the floorand running down the clock, switched back to their usual high-paced game. TheVols got themselves going by fastbreaking on one end and pressing all over thecourt.
Kentucky led 11-7 when Harris jump-started the Vols by scoring five of thenext eight points. Tennessee turned that into a 13-1 run as Kentucky went 6 1/2minutes without scoring a field goal, and the Vols never trailed again.
“Tennessee did a super job defensively,” Kentucky coach Tubby Smith said.”We couldn’t find the basket. Harris got hot early, and we never recovered. Ithought we had a chance to get back in it, but no one shot consistently fromthe outside.”
Whenever the Wildcats tried to set up for a shot, a Tennessee player wasthere. The Vols forced 16 turnovers, which they turned into 21 points.
Smith wasn’t happy with what he called shaky ball-handling.
“On the road, you have to be mentally tough, and I didn’t see thattonight,” said Smith, whose Wildcats now have lost three straight SEC roadgames.
C.J. Black had 10 for Tennessee.
Tennessee led 46-30 on a 3 by Harris. The Wildcats, who now lead the series43-42 in Knoxville and 127-61 overall against Tennessee, didn’t quit.
They pulled within 68-63 with 1:11 left on a three-point play by TayshaunPrince. Vincent Yarbrough blocked a shot by Keith Bogans with 50 seconds left,and the Vols hit six of eight free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.
Desmond Allison led Kentucky with 15 points. Jamaal Magloire and Bogans eachhad 11.
