LEXINGTON, Ky.: Keon Johnson scored 17 of his career-high 27 points after halftime, Jaden Springer added a career-high 23 points and No. 11 Tennessee rallied past Kentucky 82-71 on Saturday night.
Trailing 58-48 with 12 minutes remaining, the Volunteers (13-4, 6-4 Southeastern Conference) scored 12 straight points for the lead thanks to the freshmen. The lead traded hands twice more before Tennessee took control with another 12-0 run for a 74-64 advantage and went on to its second consecutive victory at Rupp Arena and sixth in nine games against Kentucky (5-12, 4-6).
Johnson finished 9 of 16 from the field and 9 of 11 from the line, while Springer was 9 of 17 and scored 14 in the second half. Tennessee shot 50% in the final 20 minutes and 47% overall to bounce back from Wednesdays 52-50 loss to Mississippi.
Their efforts offset career highs of 23 points and 11 rebounds by Kentuckys Keion Brooks Jr., who scored 10 of his teams 14 points early in the second half for its last lead. Devin Askew and Olivier each added 14 points, but the Wildcats lost their third in a row for the third time this season.
BIG PICTURE
Tennessee: Fouls and several first-half droughts dug a hole for the Vols, but they didnt flinch. Johnson and Springer turned it up a notch, and that made the difference.
Kentucky: A game the Wildcats needed ended with yet another late collapse. This despite a huge boost from Brooks, their only returning starter who missed the first nine games with a leg injury. Climbing back seems an even taller task at this point.
UP NEXT
Tennessee hosts Florida on Wednesday night.
Kentucky hosts Arkansas on Tuesday night.
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