Tennessee gets revenge against Houston in Players Era Festival originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
While Tennessee did not explicitly label this as a revenge game, their performance strongly suggested such an intent.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFollowing their NCAA Tournament elimination by Houston last season, the Volunteers entered this contest undefeated and well-rested, demonstrating a clear determination to alter the previous narrative. Ja’Kobi Gillespie's 22 points on 5-of-16 shooting (including 3-of-9 from beyond the arc and a perfect 9-of-9 from the free-throw line), were instrumental in the Vols 76-73 win.
Houston, a top-three ranked team, began the game with a strong showing. Freshman Kingston Flemings was particularly effective early on, ultimately contributing 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting. Milos Uzan added 17 points, and the Cougars converted 4-of-6 three-point attempts in the opening minutes. They held a 39–35 lead at halftime, despite Emanuel Sharp encountering foul trouble, limiting him to eight points in 21 minutes. Chris Cenac Jr. was a dominant presence on the boards with 11 rebounds, in addition to his five points.
Tennessee maintained competitiveness through a collective effort. Freshman Nate Ament, despite struggling with his jump shot (1-for-8), managed to secure nine points and five rebounds. Felix Okpara contributed nine points, Cade Phillips added two, and Bishop Boswell delivered his most impactful collegiate performance to date, with 10 points (a career high), three assists, three steals, and perfect shooting from the field (4-for-4). The bench proved crucial, with Jaylen Carey providing 13 points and seven rebounds in 22 pivotal minutes, while J.P. Estrella's effective post play and Amaree Abram's spacing helped Tennessee keep pace.
The second half saw a significant shift in momentum, with Houston struggling offensively. The Cougars endured a scoring drought of over seven minutes without a field goal, missing 15 of 17 shots during one stretch, and ultimately shooting approximately 30% after halftime. Tennessee's lead was tested when Flemings hit a pull-up three-pointer with seven seconds remaining, narrowing the deficit to one point.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementGillespie subsequently secured possession and converted both free throws, contributing to Tennessee's 23-of-29 performance from the foul line. Houston's final attempt fell short.
The Volunteers emerged victorious, celebrating a win that served as both a measure of revenge and a significant statement. This November contest provided a challenging early-season test of resilience, which is often a crucial factor in long-term success.
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