LAS VEGAS, NV (utsports.com) - The University of Tennessee men's basketball team led Kansas by 12 in the final 14 minutes Wednesday evening, but came up on the short end of an 81-76 result after a furious comeback by the Jayhawks.

No. 17/16 Tennessee (7-1) got a game-high 20 points from freshman forward Nate Ament in the Players Era Men's Championship third-place game at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

The Volunteers held Kansas (6-2) to a 5-of-19 start from the field, including forcing six consecutive misses, en route to claiming s 25-19 lead at the 8:23 mark of the first half. The Jayhawks, though, scored nine of the next 11 points to go ahead, 28-27, just 3:27 later.

After the teams split the next two baskets, Tennessee went on a 12-2 run in 3:29 to go ahead by a then-game-best nine points,

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