KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 8 (UPI) -- Jules Camara knocked down a key jumper with 53 seconds to go Wednesday night, helping lift the 19th-ranked Kentucky Wildcats to a 74-71 victory over Tennessee in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams.
Tennessee (7-3) trailed through most of the second half, but grabbed a 71-70 lead on a steal and layup by freshman C.J. Watson with 81 seconds to go. Watson was fouled on the play and missed the free throw.
Kentucky (10-3) patiently worked the shot clock down before feeding Marquis Estill on the left side of the lane. Estill was double-teamed and found Camara at the foul line, from where he hit his shot to give the Wildcats the lead for good.
The Volunteers called a timeout to set up their next play, but Thaydeus Holden's out-of-control layup attempt was blocked out of bounds off a Tennessee player. The Wildcats' Gerald Fitch sank a pair at the line for a three-point lead with 16 seconds to go.
Tennessee went to John Winchester on its final possession and the freshman guard misfired long on a three-point attempt with three seconds to go and time expired.
Keith Bogans led Kentucky with 20 points and Fitch added 17. Bogans, a senior guard, had his fourth game of 20 or more points against the Volunteers.
