EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Jason Williams scored 27 of his career-high 38 points after halftime to lead top-ranked Duke to a thrilling 95-92 overtime victory over No. 8 Kentucky in the Jimmy V Classic Tuesday night.
Duke (10-0) earned its 20th consecutive victory and rallied from a 12-point second-half deficit that prompted Coach Mike Krzyzewski to remove all five starters.
Returning to his home state of New Jersey, Williams was the key, but he made just 1-of-2 free throws with eight seconds left in regulation for a 78-78 tie. Kentucky's Cliff Hawkins missed a desperation shot at the buzzer as the game went to overtime.
Hawkins gave Kentucky (6-2) its final lead at 89-88 with a jumper with 1:51 to play, but Williams answered with a three-point play 12 seconds later. After Hawkins missed a shot in close that would have tied it, Williams found Carlos Boozer for an easy layup and a 93-89 advantage.
A pair of free throws by Keith Bogans pulled the Wildcats within 93-91 with 43 seconds to go, but they elected not to foul and New Jersey native Dahntay Jones scored on a follow shot for a four-point edge with nine seconds left.
Freshman Rashaad Carruth scored 14 of his 19 points in the first half and Tayshaun Prince added 17 points for Kentucky, which had its six-game winning streak snapped.
