Kentucky Stuns Tennessee 78-73: Brea and Robinson Power Wildcats Past Vols in SEC Showdown

No. 12 Kentucky ended their two-game skid with a hard-fought 78-73 victory over No. 8 Tennessee in Knoxville on Tuesday night, showcasing resilience despite key injuries to their backcourt.

Koby Brea emerged as the difference-maker, leading all Wildcats with 18 points, while Jaxson Robinson contributed 17 points in a game that demonstrated Kentucky's depth. The Wildcats (15-5, 4-3 SEC) found their rhythm in the second half, shooting an impressive 75% from the field in the first eight minutes to build a commanding 55-44 lead.

Tennessee (17-4, 4-4 SEC) was paced by Igor Milicic's near double-double performance of 19 points and nine rebounds. The Volunteers staged a late comeback attempt, but Jordan Gainey's crucial three-point attempt in the final seconds missed completely, sealing Kentucky's victory.

Despite playing without ballhandlers Lamont Butler and Kerr Kriisa, Kentucky showed marked improvement in ball security, reducing their turnovers from eight in the first half to just five in the second. Amari Williams provided a strong presence inside, recording a double-double with 10 points and 15 rebounds.

The victory marks a significant turnaround for Kentucky in SEC play and sets up an intriguing matchup against Arkansas on Saturday, while Tennessee prepares to face No. 5 Florida in their next contest.