Top 25 Roundup: Wildcats rally past Tennessee

Camara's career high pushes No. 12 Kentucky past Vols, 64-61

? With its stars misfiring from all over the court, No. 12 Kentucky turned to an unlikely offensive source against Tennessee.

Jules Camara was 8-of-13 from the field for a career-high 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds as the Wildcats rallied for a 64-61 victory Tuesday.

Tayshaun Prince scored 15 points, Cliff Hawkins had 11 and Chuck Hayes 10 for the Wildcats (18-7, 8-5 Southeastern Conference), who lost 76-74 in overtime at Tennessee on Feb. 6.

“I always know I can hit the shots,” said Camara, a rail-thin, 6-foot-11 junior who came into the game averaging 5.0 points and 3.0 rebounds. “It’s just a matter of being aggressive, going out there and getting it done.”

With Prince and Keith Bogans combining to shoot only 3-of-18 and starting guard Gerald Fitch suspended for the game following a scuffle with a teammate, Kentucky desperately needed someone to step up and put the ball in the basket.

Camara and Hayes, a freshman who was making his second career start, provided the scoring punch. They combined to shoot 12-of-18, grab 14 rebounds, hand out four assists and block three shots.

“It’s no secret that teams focus on Tayshaun,” said Hayes, who finished with six rebounds and two assists. “When that happens, others have to produce. Tonight, that turned out to be Jules and I.”

No. 4 Cincinnati 79, DePaul 62

Chicago Steve Logan had 22 points and nine assists, and reserve Jason Maxiell added 18 points on 9-of-9 shooting. Logan, who was coming off a 41-point performance against Southern Mississippi, was 6-of-14 from the field and 9-of-10 from the free throw line.

No. 6 OU 65, Baylor 54

Waco, Texas Hollis Price, Ebi Ere and Aaron McGhee each scored 15 points for the Sooners, who beat the Bears for the 16th straight time. Oklahoma (21-4, 10-3 Big 12) used a 10-0 run to take a 61-50 lead. John Lucas had 19 points for Baylor (14-12, 4-9), which hasn’t beaten Oklahoma since a 75-67 win on Dec. 6, 1977.

No. 9 Marquette 66, Charlotte 52

Milwaukee Cordell Henry scored 19 of his 22 points in the second half for the Golden Eagles (23-3, 12-1 Conference USA), who won their 12th in a row. Dwyane Wade added 14 points as Marquette avenged its last loss, 76-68 defeat at Charlotte on Jan. 5. Cam Stephens had 18 points for the 49ers (16-9, 10-4), who pulled within 60-50 with five minutes left. Henry scored the game’s only three baskets over the next three minutes to stave off the comeback as the Eagles snapped a four-game losing streak to Charlotte.

No. 24 W. Kentucky 100, Kentucky St. 63

Bowling Green, Ky. Chris Marcus had 32 points and 15 rebounds and the Hilltoppers (24-3) extended the nation’s longest winning streak to 14 games. The Hilltoppers (24-3), who returned to the rankings Monday after being out for 10 weeks, scored 100 points for the second consecutive game. Jason McGowan had 20 points for the Div. II Thoroughbreds (12-12).