Kansas Surges Past Tennessee, Hands Volunteers First Loss 81-76

UPDATE: In a stunning turn of events, the Kansas Jayhawks defeated the previously unbeaten No. 17 Tennessee Volunteers 81-76 during the Players Era Championship third-place game in Las Vegas on December 6, 2023. This loss marked Tennessee’s first of the season, dropping their record to 7-1, while Kansas improved to 6-2.

The game shifted dramatically in the closing minutes. Kansas, trailing for much of the second half, surged ahead with 5:36 left on a layup by Paul Mbiya. They extended their lead to four points at 68-64 when Elmarko Jackson drove to the basket with 5:08 remaining. The Jayhawks continued to build momentum, reaching a seven-point lead at 75-68 with just 2:02 on the clock.

Tennessee fought back, narrowing the gap to 75-73 with only 56 seconds left to play. However, Kansas sealed the victory when Flory Bidunga hit two crucial free throws and made a key steal with 20 seconds remaining.

Tennessee initially dominated, boasting a 12-point lead with 15:06 left in the second half. However, Kansas quickly responded, launching an 8-0 run that included two three-pointers and free throws from Jackson, closing the gap to 55-51 with 12:09 remaining. The Volunteers managed to regain a brief six-point advantage at 8:21, but the relentless Jayhawks refused to back down.

Melvin Council Jr. and Elmarko Jackson led Kansas with 17 points each, while Tre White contributed 14 points before fouling out. Flory Bidunga added 13 points, demonstrating the depth of the Kansas squad. Nate Ament was the standout for Tennessee, scoring 20 points, supported by Jaylen Carey and Ja’Kobi Gillespie with 11 points each.

This loss raises questions about Tennessee’s resilience as they prepare for upcoming matches. Fans are eager to see how the Volunteers will bounce back from this setback. The Jayhawks, on the other hand, celebrate a significant victory that could signal a turning point in their season.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as both teams look ahead to their next challenges.