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Kansas Ends Tennessee's Unbeaten Run With Late Comeback

PUBLISHED Nov 26, 2025, 10:33 PM ET

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Kansas Ends Tennessee's Unbeaten Run With Late Comeback

Media Bias Meter

Sources: 8

Center 100%

Sources: 8

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.

By Mahnoor A. | JQJO News

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.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 8
Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 8

Who Benefited

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.

Who Impacted

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.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 8
Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 8
Distribution:: Left 0%, Center 100%, Right 0%

Who Benefited

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.

Who Impacted

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.