UNC’s defense held No. 18 Kentucky to just 8-23 shooting in the second half on its way to a 67-64 win in Lexington Tuesday night. It’s Carolina’s first win at the Wildcats’ Rupp Arena since 2007.
HEELS WIN.#CarolinaFamily | @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/rPZqtKTzFW
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) December 3, 2025
The Wildcats had shot 15-30 overall in the first half despite not making a single three-pointer, but that shooting dried up late in the second half as Kentucky missed 14 of its final 16 shots. Still, UNC found itself trailing 56-50 with 6:09 to go, with the six-point lead matching Kentucky’s largest of the game.
Freshman star Caleb Wilson sparked a 6-0 spurt for UNC with four straight points, and Zayden High provided the tying basket with a fast-break layup. The Tar Heels nosed in front thanks to a three-pointer from Luke Bogavac, but the Wildcats took the lead back, 62-61, with 1:41 remaining. Freshman guard Derek Dixon, who played a career-high 24 minutes, then took matters into his own hands by knocking down a stepback three-pointer, his first of the night. UNC led 64-62.
After Kentucky tied the game on the other end, Dixon called his own number again with a driving layup, giving the Tar Heels a 66-64 lead with 16 seconds to go. The Wildcats’ Collin Chandler, who had scored on the previous possession, then missed a layup at the rim, and UNC grabbed the rebound. Wilson made one of his two free throws with two seconds left and then intercepted the Wildcats’ desperation inbounds pass to seal the win.
Wilson (15 points, 12 rebounds) and Henri Veesaar (17 points, 10 rebounds) each recorded double-doubles for Carolina. Bogavac finished with 12 points before fouling out late, and Dixon scored nine off the bench. Powered by Wilson and Veesaar, UNC outrebounded Kentucky 41-30 and scored 22 second-chance points (the Wildcats had five). Kentucky had entered the evening among the nation’s top 5 teams in rebounding.
Tuesday’s win is UNC’s first against Kentucky under head coach Hubert Davis’ leadership. Carolina is now 7-1 on the season, and the Tar Heels will be back in action when they return to the Smith Center to host Georgetown Sunday at 5 p.m.
Featured image via Associated Press/James Crisp
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