Irish edge Kentucky for first win in Lexington

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Nate Laszewski scored 21 points, Notre Dame put Kentucky into a historic first-half deficit, and the Irish held on for their first-ever victory in Lexington, beating the Wildcats 64-63 on Saturday.

The Fighting Irish used a 19-0 run in the first half to open a 33-9 lead and were up 48-26 at the half. Itwas the largest halftime deficit in a home game in Kentucky's history. TheWildcats got back in it with a 16-0 run and trailed by one when Isaiah Jackson's block of a Laszewski's 3-pointer led to a shot-clock violation with 12 seconds left.

Olivier Sarr missed an open 15-footer from the right wing with a second left and Devin Askew was too late flying in fromthe left for a putback.

Prentis Hubb added 18 points for Notre Dame (2-3), which gave up an eight-point halftime on lead on Tuesday in losing to No. 22 Ohio State by five points. The Irish also lost their season opener to No. 13 Michigan State by 10.

Sarr led Kentucky (1-4) with 22 points and seven rebounds. Brandon Boston Jr., and Terrence Clarke added 14 points apiece. Laszewski had 19 points in the first half when Notre Dame hit 6 of 113- pointers and shot 49%.

After Ryan's three-point play had the Irish on top 53-33, the Wildcats' pressure picked up. Davion Mintz made the first of two layups, Boston and Askew contributed 3-pointers, and Sarr scored six points, his jumper pulling Kentucky within 53-49 with 7:34 remaining. Hubb scored seven points and Juwan Durham had a 3 as the Irish regained control to lead 62-53 with 2:15 to play but in 45 seconds, Clarke pulled Kentucky within one. Hubb and Sarr exchanged baskets, setting up the final sequence.