The 2nd ranked Kentucky Wildcats beat the South Carolina Gamecocks 79-64 at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. It was the Southeastern Conference basketball opener for both teams.

Terrence Jones hit his first eight shots from the field and finished with a game-high 20 points for Kentucky. Damien Leonard led the Gamecocks with 15 points.

South Carolina scored the first four points of the game. But Kentucky roared back with an 11-0 run to end the first half. It is the third time this season that the Gamecocks have lost to a team ranked either number one or number two in the nation. In November, they lost to the North Carolina Tar Heels 87-62 in Las Vegas. In December, Ohio State beat the Gamecocks in Columbia 74-66.

Former WPDE Mister Hoop Zone winner Eric Smith from Mullins played only 12 minutes. Smith finished with three points, three rebounds and one assist. Ex-WPDE All-Hoop Zone selection Carlton Geathers out of Carvers Bay High played just three minutes and was held scoreless.

Kentucky improved to 15-1 on the season. South Carolina now has a record of 8-7. The Gamecocks will host the Vanderbilt Commodores on Tuesday, Jan. 10 in Columbia. Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. and will be televised on ESPNU.