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University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Kentucky
No. 6 North Carolina Falls To Kentucky 93-76
December 2, 2000 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 2, 2000
By DAVID DROSCHAK
AP Sports Writer
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) - Kentucky dug deep into its bench Saturday to beat No. 6 North Carolina 93-76 and end its worst start in 16 years.
The Wildcats (2-3) used runs of 18-4 in the middle of each half and outscored North Carolina's reserves 38-12 to snap their six-game losing streak against the Tar Heels (3-2) in a matchup of college basketball's two winningest programs.
Marquis Estill led the way with 19 points and 11 rebounds off the bench, while starters Keith Bogans added 18 and Tayshaun Prince 15. Another key reserve was Cliff Hawkins, who scored 11 points and had five assists in 18 minutes.
The Wildcats turned a 48-47 deficit into a 13-point lead in a span of 5 1/2 minutes as they broke out of their 3-point shooting slump. Kentucky was 26 percent in four games behind the arc coming in, but was 7-for-12 in the second half to win going away.
Bogans made two 3-pointers and Saul Smith one during Kentucky's clinching run.
The Tar Heels, who lost to No. 3 Michigan State by 13 points on Wednesday night, was 72-4 all-time in the Smith Center against non-conference opponents. ut Matt Doherty lost his first game at home since taking over for Bill Guthridge, matching the second-worst loss in 192 games.
Preseason all-American Joseph Forte had his second straight poor shooting game, going 8-for-22 for 19 points. He made his last three shots when the game was out of reach.
Brendan Haywood added 18 points and 11 rebounds as the Tar Heels turned it over 17 times and were 7-for-16 from the foul line.
Both teams were plagued with foul problems in the opening 20 minutes.
Former North Carolina recruit Parker picked up his second 12:28 before halftime and didn't return the rest of the period as the Tar Heels built a 21-11 lead. He finished with six points in just 12 minutes.
But the Wildcats did most of their damage during an 18-4 run without Parker and starting center Marvin Stone, who picked up his second foul 36 seconds after Parker was called for his shove underneath on Brian Bersticker.
The Tar Heels lost Haywood earlier than Parker, who picked up two fouls in a span of 21 seconds. He was joined on the bench four minutes by backup point guard Brian Morrison, who had the North Carolina offense humming.
The Tar Heels fell apart with Haywood and Morrison on the bench as North Carolina made just one basket in seven minutes as Kentucky negated its 2-for-14 3-point shooting by capitalizing on six turnovers during its run.
The Wildcats had five layups and a follow shot during its 18-4 run as Kentucky's bench outscored North Carolina's 27-4 in the opening 20 minutes.
The Tar Heels honored the jersey of Vince Carter at halftime. The Toronto Raptors guard became the 37th such player to have his jersey hung in the Smith Center.
