Caleb Wilson, No. 16 UNC Outlast No. 18 Kentucky in ACC/SEC Challenge, Excite CBB Fans

No. 16 North Carolina secured a 67-64 win over No. 18 Kentucky in the ACC/SEC Men's Challenge on Tuesday night.

With the score tied 64-64 with under 20 seconds remaining in the second half, Tar Heels guard Derek Dixon connected on a go-ahead layup. After the Wildcats failed to score on their next possession, Caleb Wilson hit a free throw that put North Carolina up by three points and helped them clinch the victory.

Wilson finished with 15 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in 35 minutes on the floor despite shooting 5-of-19 from the field. He also recorded two steals and one block.

Fans applauded the effort from Wilson and the Tar Heels.

Tuesday's contest was a close battle, as neither team led by more than six points.

After both schools were tied at halftime, Kentucky opened the second half on a quick 8-2 run and appeared to be building momentum. North Carolina quickly jumped back in front with an 11-4 run of its own, though.

The Wildcats appeared to be on the verge of pulling away several times late in the second half, but the Tar Heels repeatedly responded with timely threes.

Luka Bogavac connected on a triple that gave North Carolina a 61-59 advantage with just over two minutes remaining in the game. Kentucky hit three free throws to take the lead back, but Dixon hit a three that put the Tar Heels up 64-62 with under one minute left.

While the Wildcats tied the game again, Dixon's layup proved to be the difference. He finished with nine points, three rebounds and two assists off the bench

Henri Veesaar recorded a double-double for North Carolina, scoring 17 points and grabbing 10 rebounds while shooting 8-of-12 from the field.

The Tar Heels dominated the glass, pulling down 41 rebounds as a team compared to 30 for the Wildcats.

North Carolina improved to 7-1 with the win, handing Kentucky its first home loss of the 2025-26 season.