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Balanced attack helps Kentucky hold off 'Bama

Jan 22, 2012 - 7:06 AM Lexington, KY (Sports Network) - Terrence Jones led six Kentucky players in double figures with 15 points, as the second-ranked Wildcats edged Alabama, 77-71, at Rupp Arena.

Doron Lamb added 14 points and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist chipped in 13 for Kentucky (19-1, 5-0 SEC), which extended the nation's longest home winning streak to 47 games. Darius Miller and Anthony Davis each contributed 11 and Marquis Teague finished with 10 to round out the double-digit Wildcats.

JaMychal Green posted a double-double with game-highs of 22 points and 12 rebounds for the Crimson Tide (13-6, 2-3), who were dealt their third straight loss. Trevor Releford contributed 17 points and Trevor Lacey scored 10.

"I thought you had two teams out there that really battled and fought hard," said Alabama head coach Anthony Grant. "I thought our guys certainly gave the effort and played with the passion as a coach that you want to see."

Kentucky led throughout the second half, but Alabama did close the gap to 49-48 on a Green free throw with 12:38 remaining. The Wildcats' lead reached 69-63 when Jones knocked down a foul shot with 2:19 to play.

The teams traded free throws down the stretch, with Miller's pair putting Kentucky up 75-71 with 14 seconds left. Davis then preserved the win by blocking Charles Hankerson's bid from inside the lane.

"[The Crimson Tide] made every play and free throw down the stretch they needed to keep it a game," said Kentucky head coach John Calipari.

Davis, a freshman, tallied nine rebounds, four steals and four blocks, extending his single-season school record for rejections to 93.

Kidd-Gilchrist and Lamb both supplied six points in a 15-3 Kentucky run that erased an early 5-1 deficit. The Wildcats went up 20-12 on Lamb's layup with about 10 1/2 minutes left, but Alabama replied with a 7-0 surge.

A Davis free throw pushed the lead back to eight (matching a game high) at 35-27, and Kentucky led 37-32 at halftime.

Game Notes

The Wildcats have won 11 games in a row overall...Alabama shot 65 percent (13- of-20) from the field in the second half...Kentucky made 27 free throws to Alabama's 18...The Wildcats improved to 53-10 against the Crimson Tide in Lexington...Green surpassed the 1,500-point plateau.