KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Randolph Morris scored 22 points and Rajon Rondo added 16 and Kentucky held on to beat No. 11 Tennessee 80-78 on Wednesday night.
The Wildcats (19-10, 9-6 Southeastern Conference) avenged the Volunteers’ win in Lexington last month that snapped an eight-game losing streak in the series. This was more like what Kentucky is accustomed to against Tennessee and prevented the Vols’ first season sweep since 1998-99.
The Wildcats, still battling Florida for the East’s No. 2 seed for the SEC tournament, shuffled the lineup since the teams’ last meeting. Morris scored 20 points in Tennessee’s 75-67 win in Rupp Arena, but Rondo was driving to the basket this time and the Vols had trouble stopping that new dimension.
The Vols (20-6, 11-4) looked like they were headed for a dramatic ending to their home season under first-year coach Bruce Pearl.
Tennessee had already wrapped up the East title, but the Wildcats spoiled senior night and a special T-shirt promotion for fans that created a human orange-and-white checkerboard in the stands.
Tennessee was ahead by as many as 14 points in the first half, but Kentucky clamped down in the second half and took the lead for the first time after halftime on Brandon Stockton’s 3 with 15:19 remaining. The Wildcats pushed it to as many as six points.
Tennessee tied it at 73 on two free throws by C.J. Watson with 4:55 left, but the Vols couldn’t get any closer.
Kentucky increased the lead to 80-76 on Rondo’s driving layup with 2:16 left, and Tennessee’s Dane Bradshaw scored on a putback for the last points. The final 1:46 was frantic.
Watson had a 3 that rimmed out. JaJuan Smith had a chance to tie it after Rondo grabbed his jersey on a steal, but Smith missed the front end of a 1-and-1.
The Vols had possession with 19 seconds remaining, but Smith lost control of the ball when he fell. Nearly 11 seconds came off the clock during a scramble on the floor, and Joe Crawford came up with the ball.
He was fouled intentionally but missed the first free throw with 8.1 seconds left. Watson missed a 3 at the buzzer.
Crawford finished with 11 points for the Wildcats, who outshot the Vols at the foul line 13-of-19 to 5-of-10.
Watson, Smith and Chris Lofton each scored 15 points for Tennessee while Major Wingate added 10.
