LEXINGTON, Ky. - Reyshawn Terry scored 25 points to help North Carolina jolt No. 10 Kentucky 83-79 on Saturday, giving the Tar Heels a big road victory that ended the Wildcats' 11-game winning streak at Rupp Arena.
This was a matchup of teams that rank 1-2 in NCAA Division I in overall wins, and defending champion North Carolina showed it still is dangerous despite a depleted roster. The Tar Heels lost the top seven scorers from the team that won it all last season - three to graduation and four to the NBA draft.
North Carolina was coming off a four-point loss Tuesday night to No. 12 Illinois, a rematch of the NCAA title game. The Tar Heels did even better this time.
North Carolina (4-1) held off two second-half runs by Kentucky (5-2) to beat the Wildcats for the second straight season.
Kentucky, despite career highs in points from guards Rajon Rondo (20) and walk-on Ravi Moss (17), lost for the first time at home since falling 65-59 to Kansas on Jan. 9. Kentucky has been ranked in the Top 10 of the last 39 AP polls - tops in the nation - but that streak most likely will end Monday.
North Carolina capitalized on its size, holding a 37-30 rebounding advantage and getting numerous second-chance shots. Kentucky shot better from the field - 50.9 percent to 43.3 percent - but North Carolina attempted five more shots than the Wildcats.
Almost half the Tar Heels' shots - 27 of 60 - were 3-point attempts.
NO. 21 ALABAMA 60, WINTHROP 57: Chuck Davis scored 22 points to lead the Crimson Tide.
Winthrop led by four midway through the second half, but key dunks by Evan Brock and Jermareo Davidson and a pair of 3-pointers by Justin Jonus and Ronald Steele pushed the momentum in Alabama's favor.
MISS. ST. 82, SANTA CLARA 69 (OT): Jamont Gordon led the host with 20 points, hitting 4 of 5 attempts from 3-point range. Jamall Edmondson followed with 19 points as Mississippi State (5-2) dominated 16-3 in overtime.
