COL BKB: Kentucky 72, Maryland 69

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NEW YORK, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- Jarrod Polson gave Kentucky a 3-point lead with 7 seconds left Friday and the No. 3 Wildcats hung on to defeat Maryland 72-69.

Kentucky opened defense of its national title and had to work hard to pull out the victory with a new group of freshmen in action.

Kyle Wiltjer led the Wildcats with 19 points and six rebounds while Archie Goodwin scored 16 for Kentucky.

Maryland closed within one with 8 seconds remaining when Alex Len grabbed his own rebound off a missed free throw and scored on a layup.

Wiltjer was immediately fouled and his two free throws created the final score. Kentucky then applied heavy pressure to keep Maryland from getting off the 3-point shot needed to tie the game.

Len scored 23 points to lead Maryland.

Kentucky led by as many as 15 early in the second half before Maryland went on a 15-0 run to get back in the contest.