CINCINNATI, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- Keith Bogans scored 21 points Saturday as the 21st-ranked Kentucky Wildcats held off Ohio, 83-75.
Erik Daniels contributed 14 points, Gerald Fitch 12 and Chuck Hayes 11 for Kentucky (9-3), which led by 19 points one minute into the second half but saw its lead dwindle to three points on two occasions in the final two minutes.
After Brandon Hunter's layup got the Bobcats (3-6) within 78-75 with 55 seconds to play, Daniels countered with a layup after missing a dunk. The Wildcats capped the scoring on a layup and free throw by Bogans with 9.2 seconds remaining.
The Wildcats, who improved to 13-1 all time against the Bobcats, commence Southeastern Conference play at Tennessee on Wednesday.
Sonny Johnson scored 24 points and Steve Esterkamp and Hunter 18 apiece for Ohio, which lost for the fifth time in seven games. Hunter also chipped in 16 rebounds.
Kentucky shot 52 percent and limited Ohio to 40 percent.
