In the game’s first 37-plus minutes, Kentucky led for only 45 seconds. But the Cats reached the summit after a long, uphill climb on Senior Night.
Kentucky rallied from a 19-point first-half deficit to beat Vanderbilt 73-67 Tuesday night and clinch at least a share of the Southeastern Conference regular-season championship.
Kentucky, 25-5 overall and 15-2 in the SEC, did not take the lead for good until De’Aaron Fox drove to a basket that put the Cats ahead 64-62 with 2:13 left.
Vandy, which saw a chance for a statement victory to cement a NCAA Tournament bid slip away, fell to 16-14 overall and 9-8 in the SEC.