KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WDRB) — It’s not like Kentucky hasn’t come into Thompson-Boling Arena and walked away with an upset win as a big underdog before.

Still, every time it happens, it comes as a surprise. On Tuesday night, minus starting point guard Lamont Butler and starting forward Andrew Carr — who tried to go despite back issues but lasted only 89 seconds — an outmanned Kentucky team was not outgunned.

The Wildcats opened the game by making three straight three-pointers, and shot the No. 8-ranked Volunteers out of their own gym, taking a 78-73 victory to snap a two-game losing streak.

It was their seventh victory against ranked competition this season, but this one was the most surprising.

Jaxson Robinson didn’t only take over the point guard responsibilities, he shouldered much of the scoring load. After Koby Brea opened the game with a three, Robinson made two in a row and had 11 first-half points for the Wildcats, who led all but 40 seconds of the first half, but still went to the break down 33-30.

Brea opened the second half with another three, and Kentucky would push its lead back to 11 with 11 minutes to play. But Robinson had to leave the game soon after to be tended to by trainers for a hamstring issue. Tennessee closed within three with just over four minutes left. They trailed by five with 1:23 left when they turned it over near midcourt.

Kentucky had the ball with a chance to extend its lead, but Otega Oweh was called for an offensive foul near midcourt.

After a pair of Tennessee free throw, Kentucky’s lead was down to 73-70. Tennessee then fouled Robinson on the Wildcats’ inbound attempt. He made one of two, to put Kentucky up four with 1:02 left.

A Tennessee missed a three that glanced off Brea’s hands underneath, to give the Vols another chance with 40 seconds left. Another missed three was corralled by the home team, but finally, on yet another try, Chaz Lanier buried a three with 28.6 seconds left to pull the Vols within 74-73.

Driving the ball up court against the press, Oweh was fouled with 25.3 seconds left. Oweh, who had made only 2 of 5 on the night, made both to put Kentucky up 76-73.

A miss by Gainey bounced out of bounds with 7.9 seconds left, and Kentucky got the ball as fans began to stream out of the arena. Oweh was fouled with 7.1 seconds left. 

Brea finished with 18 points to lead Kentucky. Robinson added 17, Ainsley Almonor had 12 and Oweh finished with 14.

And credit Amari Williams. He not only played point-center for much of the second half, bringing the ball up the court and often triggering the offense, but he pulled down a season-high 15 rebounds and added 10 points.

It was Kentucky’s best defensive performance of the season. Tennessee shot just 34.7 percent for the game and went just 11 of 45 from three-point range.

The Wildcats got big contributions off the bench from Travis Perry, Trent Noah and Collin Chandler.

Kentucky now returns home for a 9 p.m. matchup with John Calipari on Saturday night.

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