LEXINGTON - Just less than a week after a shocking loss to Evansville, No. 10 Kentucky narrowly avoided another home upset in an 82-74 victory over Utah Valley.
Utah Valley pulled within one point at 68-67 with 3:26 remaining and had a possession to take the lead, but officials ruled a loose ball that rolled out of bounds off a missed Utah Valley shot had last touched a Wolverines player. On the next possession, Kentucky graduate transfer Nate Sestina converted a three-point play to stretch the lead back to four.
Kentucky made 9 of 10 free throws, including six from sophomore point guard Ashton Hagans, in the final minute to clinch the victory despite Utah Valley outscoring Kentucky 33-3 from 3-point range.