Tennessee’s Zeigler Powers Late Rally To Clinch Thrilling Victory At Texas

In a thrilling Big 12 Conference matchup, the Tennessee Volunteers fought back from a 17-point deficit to defeat the Texas Longhorns 82-71 at the Moody Center in Austin on Saturday night. Santiago Vescovi led the way for Tennessee with 20 points, followed by Olivier Nkamhoua’s 16 points and 10 rebounds. Zeigler scored 15 points, including a crucial three-pointer with 2:38 remaining that gave Tennessee the lead for good.

A Tale of Two Halves

The first half was all Texas. The Longhorns shot 54.5% from the field and hit 8 of 16 three-pointers to take a 44-27 lead at the break. Tennessee, meanwhile, struggled to find its rhythm offensively, shooting just 37.9% from the field and 2 of 12 from three-point range.

The second half was a different story. Tennessee came out with renewed energy and intensity, holding Texas to just 32.3% shooting. The Volunteers also started to hit their shots, shooting 52.9% from the field in the second half. Vescovi and Nkamhoua led the charge, combining for 30 points in the second half.

Zeigler’s Heroics

With Tennessee trailing by 10 points with less than four minutes remaining, Zeigler took over the game. He hit a three-pointer to cut the lead to seven, then assisted on a jumper by Nkamhoua to make it a five-point game. After Texas missed a three-pointer, Zeigler came down and hit another three to give Tennessee its first lead of the game with 2:38 remaining.

Texas had a chance to tie the game in the final seconds, but a three-pointer by Tyrese Hunter rimmed out. Zeigler grabbed the rebound and was fouled, sending him to the free throw line where he sealed the victory for Tennessee.

Analysis

Tennessee’s comeback win was a testament to the team’s resilience and never-say-die attitude. After struggling in the first half, the Volunteers came out with a renewed sense of purpose in the second half and played with great heart and determination.

Zeigler was the catalyst for Tennessee’s comeback. He hit some big shots down the stretch and provided a spark for the Volunteers when they needed it most. Vescovi and Nkamhoua also played well, and their contributions were essential to Tennessee’s victory.

For Texas, the loss was a disappointing setback. The Longhorns played well in the first half, but they could not sustain their momentum in the second half. Hunter led the way for Texas with 21 points, but he did not get enough help from his teammates.

Conclusion

Tennessee’s victory was a big one for the Volunteers. It snapped a two-game losing streak and gave Tennessee a much-needed road win. The Volunteers will now look to build on their momentum when they host Alabama on Tuesday night.

For Texas, the loss was a setback, but the Longhorns will have a chance to bounce back when they host Oklahoma on Tuesday night.