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Dec 2, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats heart Malachi Moreno (24) makes an attempt to seize the rebound in opposition to North Carolina Tar Heels forwards Jarin Stevenson (15) and Zayden Excessive (1) in the course of the first half at Rupp Area at Central Financial institution Middle. Necessary Credit score: Jordan Prather-Imagn Photos North Carolina freshman Derek Dixon turned the star of the night time as his driving layup with 16 seconds left lifted the Sixteenth-ranked Tar Heels to a 67-64 victory over No. 18 Kentucky on Tuesday in Lexington, Ky.
The signature matchup of the ACC/SEC Problem did not disappoint, as the competition featured 14 lead adjustments and 9 ties.
Henri Veesaar led the Tar Heels (7-1) with 17 factors and grabbed 10 rebounds. Caleb Wilson contributed 15 factors, 12 rebounds and 6 assists, and Luka Bogavac added 12 factors.
Nonetheless, Dixon stole the present with the sport tied at 64-64 within the ultimate minute, producing the tiebreaking factors with a left-handed driving layup.
Kentucky’s Collin Chandler missed a possible game-tying layup with 4 seconds left. Wilson knocked down 1 of two free throws to place the Tar Heels up 67-64 with 2.8 seconds left, and Wilson was credited with a steal as Kentucky ended the sport with a bad-pass turnover.
The Wildcats (5-3) have been led by Otega Oweh’s 16 factors. Chandler completed with 12 factors whereas Denzel Aberdeen added 10.
Kentucky managed to remain in it regardless of going 1 of 13 from 3-point vary and enduring a 10-plus-minute field-goal drought within the second half.
North Carolina jumped in entrance 58-57 on a dunk by Veesaar with 3:07 left. Kentucky ended its field-goal drought on the subsequent possession, regaining the lead 59-58 on a layup by Oweh, and the Wildcats have been up 62-61 lead going into the ultimate minute.
Dixon knocked down a 3-pointer to present North Carolina a 64-62 lead with 53 seconds left, however Chandler’s layup with 36 seconds to go leveled the rating.
The primary half was a back-and-forth battle with seven lead adjustments. Kentucky went 0-for-8 from 3-point vary within the opening half however doubled North Carolina in factors within the paint, 28-14. By the break, the rating was 31-31, paving the best way for the second-half thriller.
The Tar Heels hit 6 of 20 3-point makes an attempt on the night time, outscoring the Wildcats by 15 factors from lengthy distance.
–Area Stage Media
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