URGENT UPDATE: In a thrilling showdown, the Kansas Jayhawks overcame a 12-point deficit to hand the Tennessee Volunteers their first loss of the season, winning 81-76 in the third-place game of the Players Era Championship on December 6, 2023, in Las Vegas.
Kansas, now 6-2, showcased resilience as they trailed for much of the second half. Melvin Council Jr. and Elmarko Jackson led the Jayhawks with 17 points each, while Tre White contributed 14 points before fouling out. Flory Bidunga added another 13 points to seal the victory.
Tennessee, previously unbeaten at 7-1, was led by Nate Ament, who scored 20 points. Jaylen Carey and Ja’Kobi Gillespie each chipped in with 11 points, while J.P. Estrella added 10 points in a valiant effort.
The game turned dramatically with just over five minutes remaining. Kansas took a crucial lead on a layup by Paul Mbiya, making the score 68-64. Jackson then extended the lead to 75-68 with a driving layup, leaving Tennessee scrambling to recover.
With only 56 seconds left, Tennessee narrowed the gap to 75-73, keeping the pressure on. However, Bidunga’s late free throws and a critical steal solidified Kansas’ victory and sent their fans into a frenzy.
Earlier in the second half, Tennessee held a commanding 12-point lead at 15:06 but fell victim to a rapid response from Kansas, who scored eight straight points to close the gap.
This loss marks a significant moment for Tennessee, as they head back to the drawing board after a promising start to the season. Fans will be eager to see how both teams respond moving forward.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as we follow the implications of this game for both Kansas and Tennessee as the season progresses.