ATLANTA — Kentucky seemed to make all the big plays down the stretch. Even then, UNC still had a chance to pull out the victory.
But the Tar Heels threw it away.
Rob Dillingham scored 17 points, including two straight baskets to swing the momentum back to Kentucky, and the 14th-ranked Wildcats held on for an 87-83 victory over the No. 9 Tar Heels on Saturday.
UNC squandered a chance to go for a tying 3-pointer when Elliot Cadeau, rushing the ball up the court, delivered a pass off the back of Cormac Ryan, who was looking the other way.
RJ Davis scrambled to recover the loose ball but wound up dribbling across the center line for a backcourt violation.
“It’s just a turnover,” coach Hubert Davis said, brushing off any attempt to dissect what his team was trying to do. “The play was not to turn it over.”
Aaron Bradshaw was fouled and knocked down a free throw with 4.7 seconds left to seal the victory for Kentucky (8-2), which prevailed in the second game of the CBS Sports Classic at State Farm Arena.
Davis scored 27 points and Ryan added 20 for the Tar Heels (7-3).
UNC faces Oklahoma on Wednesday night in the Jumpman Invitational in Charlotte.
Appalachian State 80, Gardner-Webb 59
GREENSBORO — Tre’Von Spillers’ 16 points helped Appalachian State defeat Gardner-Webb 80-59 on Saturday night.
Spillers also added five rebounds for the Mountaineers (9-2). Terence Harcum scored 12 points and Jordan added 11 points to help the Mountaineers pick up their eighth straight victory.
The Runnin’ Bulldogs (5-7) were led in scoring by Caleb Robinson, who finished with 18 points and eight rebounds. DQ Nicholas added 12 points and six rebounds for Gardner-Webb. Julien Soumaoro also recorded eight points.
Up next for Appalachian State is a Thursday matchup with UNC Asheville, and Gardner-Webb visits Chattanooga on Tuesday.
North Carolina A&T 85, Texas Southern 79
LAS VEGAS — Landon Glasper scored 31 points as N.C. A&T beat Texas Southern 85-79 on Saturday night for its first win of the season.
Glasper also had seven assists and three steals for the Aggies (1-9). Camian Shell scored 13 points, and Jalal McKie finished with 10 points.
Grayson Carter led the way for the Tigers (0-8) with 19 points and four assists. Kolby Granger added 14 points and nine rebounds for Texas Southern. Jonathan Cisse also had 13 points and two steals.
Davidson 98, Lynchburg 63
DAVIDSON — Connor Kochera had 17 points in Davidson’s 98-63 win over Lynchburg on Saturday.
Kochera was 7-of-11 shooting (3 for 4 from 3-point range) for the Wildcats (8-3). David Skogman scored 11 points and Bobby Durkin added 11.
Jonathan Foust led the way for the Hornets with 15 points. Cameron O’Conner added nine points for Lynchburg. Michael Gray also had five points.
UNC Wilmington 82, Georgia Southern 77
STATESBORO, Ga. — Shykeim Phillips scored 20 points as UNC Wilmington beat Georgia Southern 82-77 on Saturday.
Phillips had seven rebounds and five assists for the Seahawks (8-2). Maleeck Harden-Hayes added 13 points, and KJ Jenkins had 12.
Tyren Moore finished with 30 points for the Eagles (0-11). Eren Banks added 15 points for Georgia Southern. In addition, Mannie Harris had 10 points
Western Carolina 70, South Carolina Upstate 53
SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Tre Jackson’s 17 points helped Western Carolina defeat South Carolina Upstate 70-53 on Saturday night.
Jackson added five rebounds for the Catamounts (8-2). Vonterius Woolbright scored 15 points and added 16 rebounds and eight assists. Russell Jones finished with 13 points.
Trae Broadnax had 18 points, four assists and two steals for the Spartans (4-7). South Carolina Upstate also got 13 points and eight rebounds from Ahmir Langlais.
No. 12 Tennessee 79, NC State 70
SAN ANTONIO — Josiah-Jordan James had 23 points, Zakai Zeigler added 20 and No. 12 Tennessee held off NC State 79-70 in the Hall of Fame Series on Saturday night.
The Volunteers (8-3) held the Wolfpack to 10 points in the final seven minutes to secure the victory, including a 3-pointer with 24.1 seconds remaining.
Jahmai Mashack added 11 points for Tennessee, which has won four straight.
D.J. Horne had 16 points for NC State (7-3). D.J. Burns Jr. added 15 and Jayden Taylor had 11.
It was a frenetic and physical contest, with the teams combining for 22 turnovers and 36 personal fouls.
Tennessee has not lost since dropping three straight, including losses against then-No. 1 Kansas and No. 2 Purdue in the Maui Invitational during Thanksgiving week.
NC State hosts Saint Louis on Wednesday night.
Georgia 66, High Point 58
ATHENS, Ga. — Freshman Silas Demary Jr. had 12 points in a balanced attack and Frank Anselem-Ibe and RJ Melendez came off the bench to spark two second half runs to help Georgia hold off High Point 66-58 on Saturday.
Demary made 4 of 7 shots and both of his 3-pointers as the Bulldogs (7-3) notched their fifth straight win and improved to 6-0 at home this season. Demary added six rebounds and four assists. Melendez had 11 points and seven rebounds. Russel Tchewa scored 11 with six boards.
Trae Benham had 15 points to lead High Point (8-4) to a 33-30 lead at halftime. Benham made 3 of 7 from 3-point range and all six of his free throws. Noah Thomasson scored all 11 of his points before intermission to keep the Bulldogs close.
High Point returns home to play UNC Greensboro on Tuesday.
Richmond 64, Charlotte 56
RICHMOND, Va. — Jordan King had 14 points in Richmond’s 64-56 victory over Charlotte on Saturday night.
King shot 5 for 12 (1 for 4 from 3-point range) and 3 of 4 from the free throw line for the Spiders (6-5). Isaiah Bigelow scored 12 points and added nine rebounds. Dji Bailey had 12 points.
The 49ers (5-5) were led in scoring by Nik Graves, who finished with 13 points, six rebounds and two steals. Robert Braswell added 10 points for Charlotte. In addition, Jackson Threadgill finished with eight points.
Marshall 72, UNC Greensboro 65
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Kamdyn Curfman scored 18 points, Nate Martin had a double-double and Marshall beat UNC Greensboro 72-65 on Saturday night.
Curfman was 6-of-16 shooting (4 for 10 from 3-point range) for the Thundering Herd (4-7). Kevon Voyles scored 16 points and added six rebounds. Martin finished with 12 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.
Keyshaun Langley led the way for the Spartans (8-2) with 26 points, six assists and two steals. Kobe Langley added 20 points and two steals for UNC Greensboro. Joryam Saizonou also had eight points. The loss broke the Spartans’ seven-game winning streak.
