TL;DR
- Tennessee sought retribution against Houston after last year's NCAA Tournament exit, winning 76-73.
- Ja’Kobi Gillespie led Tennessee with 22 points, including clutch free throws.
- Freshman Kingston Flemings scored 25 points for Houston, but they struggled offensively in the second half.
- Tennessee's reserves, including Jaylen Carey and Bishop Boswell, were vital to their victory.
Tennessee's performance strongly indicated a desire for retribution, even though they didn't officially call it a revenge game.
After being knocked out of the NCAA Tournament by Houston last year, the Volunteers came into this game without a loss and having had plenty of rest, showing a strong desire to change the past outcome. Ja’Kobi Gillespie's 22 points, achieved on 5-of-16 shooting (with 3-of-9 from three-point range and a flawless 9-of-9 at the foul line), were crucial to the Vols' 76-73 victory.
The Cougars, a team ranked among the top three, started the contest impressively. Freshman Kingston Flemings proved especially impactful in the early stages, finishing with 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting. Milos Uzan chipped in 17 points, and the Cougars made 4-of-6 three-point shots during the initial minutes. They maintained a 39–35 advantage at the break, even with Emanuel Sharp facing foul difficulties, which restricted him to eight points over 21 minutes. Chris Cenac Jr. Excelled on the glass, securing 11 rebounds alongside his five points.
Tennessee's competitive edge stemmed from a unified team performance. Despite an off-shooting night (1-for-8), freshman Nate Ament contributed nine points and five rebounds. Felix Okpara scored nine points, Cade Phillips added two, and Bishop Boswell had his best college game yet, scoring a career-high 10 points on perfect shooting (4-for-4), along with three assists and three steals. The reserves were vital; Jaylen Carey scored 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds in 22 key minutes, and J.P. Estrella's strong post presence and Amaree Abram's floor spacing enabled Tennessee to stay competitive.
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.
Gillespie 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 secured a win, marking a moment of both retribution and a strong declaration. This November matchup presented a demanding early-season trial of endurance, a quality frequently vital for sustained achievement.
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