The Kentucky Wildcats overcame a 17-point deficit to secure an 80-78 victory over the Tennessee Volunteers in Knoxville on January 17, 2026. Trailing 42-31 at halftime, Kentucky rallied in the second half, leading for just the final 34 seconds. Denzel Aberdeen led the Wildcats with 22 points in the thrilling road win.
The game at Thompson-Boling Arena began with Tennessee asserting dominance, using an 11-0 run to lead 20-8 early in the first half. Kentucky struggled with eight turnovers and was outrebounded 20-12, including an 8-1 edge on offensive boards for the Volunteers. Despite shooting 10-of-23 from the field and 5-of-14 from three, the Wildcats trailed 42-31 at the break after Tennessee shot 14-of-31 overall and 6-of-13 from deep.
In the second half, Kentucky mounted a comeback fueled by improved defense and timely shooting. Otega Oweh and Denzel Aberdeen combined for 28 points on 10-of-15 field goals and 4-of-12 from three-point range. The Wildcats cut the lead to as few as two points multiple times, with Aberdeen's three threes helping trim the deficit to six early in the half.
With under two minutes left, Kentucky trailed 77-75. Oweh and Aberdeen then scored the next five points, including an and-one by Oweh and a layup by Aberdeen, to take an 80-77 lead with 13.8 seconds remaining. Tennessee missed a three but grabbed the offensive rebound, leading to a foul on Mo Dioubate (his fifth). Ja’Kobi Gillespie made one of two free throws, but the Volunteers missed the intentional second attempt and couldn't get a final shot off.
Aberdeen finished with 22 points, while Oweh, Collin Chandler, and Jasper Johnson each scored 12. Dioubate added 10 points and six rebounds before fouling out. Gillespie and Nate Ament combined for 41 points for Tennessee, who failed to score a field goal in the final 5:38. Both teams shot 47% from the field and over 40% from three.
Postgame, a fight broke out, which coach Mark Pope helped break up before being doused with water. This marks Kentucky's fourth straight win in Knoxville, improving their record amid a season of second-half surges.
