Kansas Stuns Tennessee: Vols Blow 12-Point Lead in 81-76 Loss

UPDATE: In a shocking turn of events, the No. 17 Tennessee Volunteers suffered their first loss of the season, falling to Kansas 81-76 in the third-place game of the Players Era Championship on December 20, 2023. The Volunteers, who led by as much as 12 points in the second half, watched their advantage evaporate as the Jayhawks mounted a fierce comeback.

The game, held in Las Vegas, showcased a stellar performance from Kansas’ Melvin Council Jr. and Elmarko Jackson, each scoring 17 points. Tre White contributed 14 points before fouling out, while Flory Bidunga added 13 points. Kansas improved to 6-2 with this victory, marking a significant moment in their season.

Tennessee, now 7-1, was led by Nate Ament, who scored 20 points. Jaylen Carey and Ja’Kobi Gillespie each added 11 points, with J.P. Estrella contributing 10 points. Despite their early lead, Tennessee struggled to maintain momentum as the game progressed.

With 15:06 left in the second half, the Volunteers appeared to be in control, leading 55-43. However, Kansas answered back with an explosive run, scoring eight straight points, including two critical three-pointers from Jackson, to narrow the gap to 55-51 with 12:09 remaining.

Tennessee managed to regain a six-point lead at 8:21, but Kansas continued to fight back. The turning point came with 5:36 left as Paul Mbiya’s layup gave the Jayhawks a 68-64 lead. Kansas extended their advantage to 75-68 with only 2:02 remaining, but Tennessee closed the gap to 75-73 with just 56 seconds left on the clock.

In the final moments, Bidunga sank two crucial free throws and made a game-changing steal with 20 seconds left, securing the victory for Kansas. This defeat raises questions about Tennessee’s ability to maintain their early-season success as they head into the remainder of the season.

Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how the Volunteers will respond following this disappointing loss. As Kansas celebrates this significant victory, all eyes will be on Tennessee’s upcoming games to see if they can bounce back and reclaim their dominance in the league.