Kentucky 75, Tennessee 65: Kyle Wiltjer scored 17 points and Julius Mays hit two critical 3-pointers as the host Wildcats avoided a second consecutive home loss by holding off the Volunteers.

Nerlens Noel added 12 points, nine rebounds, six blocked shots and four steals for Kentucky (11-5, 2-1 SEC), which suffered its first home conference loss in coach John Calipari’s four seasons Saturday against Texas A&M.

With Kentucky down 54-53, Noel was fouled with 6:47 remaining. He hit the first foul shot, missed the second, but corralled the rebound for a two-handed slam and a two-point Wildcat lead. After two Tennessee free throws evened the game, a layup by Ryan Harrow and two 3-pointers from Mays pushed the advantage to 64-58 with 4:23 left.

Jordan McRae led Tennessee (8-7, 0-3) with 23 points, but could not stop the Volunteers from dropping their fourth straight contest.

Kentucky made the game’s first big push early in the second half, using a 10-2 run to build a 47-39 lead on Mays’ jumper with 13:39 remaining.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Volunteers are 0-3 in SEC play for the first time since 1997-98. … Kentucky improved to 25-1 at home against conference foes under Calipari. … Over his past two games, Noel has totaled 27 points, 20 rebounds, 13 blocks, eight assists and eight steals.