Kentucky beats Volunteers at the Rupp Arena

 

Number 3 Tennessee missed their 11 game winning streak by losing to a Kentucky team that has had a turmoiled season on the hands of coach Billy Gillispie.

The Volunteers had one of their worst games scoring only 66 points, 20 below their game average, thanks to the steadfast defense applied by the Wildcats which has being a Gillispie’s trademark since he coached at Texas A&M.

"They missed some shots tonight they usually make, I thought our defense was pretty good. They are so hard to guard. We did an outstanding job." Gillispie said.

Top five teams are not easy to beat, and this victory meant alot to the Wildcats since this is the first team on that list of outstanding squads that they defeat since taking down then-No. 4 Louisville in December 2005.

The Volunteers had the edge 43-33 but the Wildcats knew better and tied the game 50-50 with just 11 minutes left on the clock.The trade of the lead lasted a few more minutes until Ramel Bradley scored for 4 free throws with just 1:30 left to play and gave Kentucky the victory 66-72.

Top scorers for the Wildcats were Patrick Patterson with 20 points and 8 rebounds, Bradley ended with 16 and Perry Stevenson threw for 14 and 7 rebounds. On the Volunteers, Chris Lofton ended with 22 points and broke the SEC record for career 3s with 367 set by former Arkansas guard Pat Bradley.

It seems like the dark road is coming to an end for Kentucky since this is the second time they win to a high ranked team in less than two weeks as they beat then-undefeated Vanderbilt in double overtime on Jan. 12.