Neither team scored on its first three possessions before Liggins got the first tally of the game on a three-pointer with 18:16 on the clock.
Tennessee got its only lead of the game at 5-3 and UK reclaimed the lead for good at 8-5.
Kentucky was ahead 16-12 when Tennessee’s Scotty Hopson hit a three-pointer at the 11:46 mark. UK held UT without a field goal for six and one-half minutes as the Wildcats went on a 17-2 spurt, opening the biggest lead of the game at 33-14 with 5:51 to play.
Tennessee closed the half with a 10-0 run in the final three minutes and Kentucky went to intermission with a 35-28 advantage.
Second-Half Stats
Tennessee got the first basket of the half, extending its run to 12-0 and cutting the UK lead to 35-30.
Kentucky responded with a 13-0 run, extending the lead to 48-30.
Tennessee got back within 10 points at 52-42 with 10:56 to go but that is as close as the Volunteers got the remainder of the game.
Team Notes
Kentucky is 29-0 at Rupp Arena under Coach John Calipari.
UK has won 30 in a row at home, beginning with the 2009 NIT game at Memorial Coliseum and continuing with the last 28 at Rupp. It is the second-longest active streak in the nation.
UK is 17-0 this season when holding the opponent under 68 points.
Kentucky has made at least one three-point shot in 772 consecutive games.
Individual Notes
DeAndre Liggins tied his career high with 19 points and had a career-high five steals
Also had 19 points earlier this season vs. Indiana
Had an efficient shooting night by making 5 of 6 field goals and 7 of 8 at the foul line
UK is 8-0 this season when he scores double figures
Josh Harrellson notched 16 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Most points for him vs. this season vs. an SEC opponent
Most points for him since his career-high 23 at Louisville
Has blocked a shot in 15 consecutive games
UK is 6-0 this season when he scores in double figures
Terrence Jones collected his eighth double-double of the season with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
He also tied his season high for blocked shots with four