Kansas Stuns Tennessee with Comeback Victory, 81-76

URGENT UPDATE: The No. 17 Tennessee Volunteers suffered their first loss of the season, falling to the Kansas Jayhawks, 81-76, in a thrilling comeback during the third-place game of the Players Era Championship on December 6, 2023, in Las Vegas. Kansas, now at 6-2, showcased remarkable resilience, erasing a 12-point deficit in the second half.

With just over 5:36 remaining, Kansas took the lead for the first time in the game, thanks to a layup from Paul Mbiya. The Jayhawks extended their advantage to four points at 68-64 following a driving layup by Elmarko Jackson, who finished the night with 17 points. Melvin Council Jr. also scored 17 points, while Flory Bidunga contributed 13 points.

Tennessee, which had dominated the early game, led by as much as 12 points with 15:06 left in the second half. Nate Ament led the Volunteers with 20 points, while Jaylen Carey and Ja’Kobi Gillespie each added 11 points.

The game took a dramatic turn as Kansas rallied after falling behind. Jackson spearheaded an 8-0 run that pulled Kansas within four points at 55-51 with 12:09 remaining. Just when it seemed Tennessee might regain control, the Jayhawks responded with a series of critical plays, tying the game at 62-62 with 7:25 left on the clock.

As the game wound down, Kansas extended its lead to 75-68 with 2:02 remaining. Despite a late surge from Tennessee, which cut the deficit to 75-73 with 56 seconds left, the Jayhawks sealed their victory with two clutch free throws from Bidunga and a crucial steal.

This unexpected loss raises questions for Tennessee as they head into upcoming matchups. The Volunteers, now 7-1, will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for their next game.

WHAT’S NEXT: Fans and analysts alike will be watching to see how Tennessee responds to this setback and whether Kansas can build on this momentum in their next games. Stay tuned for updates on both teams as the season unfolds.