Kansas Ends Tennessee's Unbeaten Run With Late Comeback
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Las Vegas Kansas defeated previously unbeaten No. 17 Tennessee 81-76 in the Players Era Championship third-place game on Wednesday, ending Tennessee’s unbeaten start. Melvin Council Jr. and Elmarko Jackson scored 17 points each, while Nate Ament led Tennessee with 20. Kansas trailed most of the second half before taking the lead with 5:36 remaining and holding off a late Tennessee rally. Tre White added 14 points and Florey Bidunga contributed 13, including late free throws. The result moved Kansas to 6-2 and Tennessee to 7-1. Officials' box scores and postgame comments corroborated. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.
Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.
Timeline of Events
- Pre-game: Tennessee entered the Players Era third-place game unbeaten and ranked No. 17.
- First half: Tennessee built a lead, shooting above 50% and leading 41-34 at halftime.
- Early second half: Tennessee extended a lead to 12 with 15:06 remaining.
- Late second half: Kansas rallied, took the lead at 5:36 remaining and led by seven with just over two minutes left.
- Final minute: Tennessee cut the margin to two, but Kansas secured the win with free throws and a late steal.
- Articles Published:
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Kansas benefited from late-game scoring runs, defensive stops and timely free throws, securing the win and third-place finish at the Players Era Championship while improving its early-season record.
Tennessee suffered its first loss after relinquishing a 12-point lead late, ending its unbeaten start and exposing late-game execution issues despite a strong first-half performance.
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Kansas Ends Tennessee's Unbeaten Run With Late Comeback
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