Zakai Zeigler and John Fulkerson each added 14 points as the Volunteers (19-6, 10-3 Southeastern Conference) ran their home record to 14-0 this season with their eighth straight SEC victory.
The Wildcats (21-5, 10-3) were led by Oscar Tshiebwe's 13 points and 15 rebounds. Jacob Toppin and Davion Mintz each scored 11 points.
Tennessee led by 14 at halftime. Kentucky cut the difference to eight midway through the second half. That's when the Vols went on a 12-0 run, holding Kentucky scoreless for nearly five minutes.
It was a heated atmosphere from the start. More than 20,000 fans crammed into Thompson Boling Arena for the game in which three technical
fouls were called in the first seven 7 minutes.
Kentucky coach John Calipari got rung up arguing a foul call. Then, a double technical was whistled
when Fulkerson went headlong into the Kentucky bench, prompting some pushing and shoving.
BIG PICTURE
Kentucky: Getting guard TyTy Washington Jr. (12.8 ppg) healthy is imperative for the Wildcats for their stretch run. He sustained a lower leg injury in Saturday's win over Florida. He played in the first half, but went to the bench early in the second half. ... Point guard Sahvir Wheeler had missed 19 consecutive shots over three games before making a 3-pointer against the Gators.
NEXT UP
Kentucky: The Wildcats have a home date with Alabama on Saturday.