LEXINGTON, Ky., Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Freshmen Eric Bledsoe and John Wall scored their team's last seven points Saturday, boosting fourth-ranked Kentucky to a 68-66 win over No. 11 North Carolina.
Saturday's victory in the battle of college basketball's winningest programs lifted the Wildcats to an 8-0 start in the 2009-10 season.
Kentucky dominated the first half and held a 43-28 halftime lead, but UNC, the reigning national champion, stayed close by forcing 20 turnovers.
Patrick Patterson led Kentucky with 19 points and seven rebounds.
Wall scored 16 with five rebounds, seven assists and three steals, despite leg cramps.
Bledsoe and Darnell Dodson added nine points apiece for the Wildcats, who avenged last season's 77-58 loss.
Deon Thompson's 14 points and nine rebounds led UNC. Will Graves scored 13, sinking 4-of-7 3-pointers.
Tyler Zeller scored 10 with five rebounds, and Ed Davis added nine points and 10 rebounds for the Tar Heels (7-2), who had won three in a row.
