UCLA knocks off No. 1 Kentucky

Thomas Welsh led five players in double figures with 21 points and host UCLA knocked off No. 1 Kentucky 87-77 on Thursday night in the Bruins’ first victory over a top-ranked team since 2003.

“They beat our brains in,” Kentucky head coach John Calipari said.

The Wildcats’ Marcus Lee, a starting forward who went to high school at Deer Valley-Antioch, suffered a head injury in the first half and didn’t return.

The Wildcats had five players in foul trouble, including Alex Poythress, who fouled out with four points with under 10 minutes left.

The result was a dramatic turnaround from the 39-point drubbing Kentucky dealt UCLA in last December.

Jordan Woodard matched his career-high with 24 points and the host Sooners (5-0) posted their highest point total since 1996.

The NCAA Infractions Appeals Committee issued its ruling Thursday, saying Boeheim was not directly involved in underlying violations of academic misconduct, extra benefits and the university’s drug-testing policy.

Guard Nick Emery is suspended from BYU’s game against Weber State on Saturday per NCAA rules and he received a reprimand from the WCC.

The host Gaels rallied to send the game to overtime, then closed a seven-point deficit to 72-71, but the Aggies pulled away.