No. 1 Kentucky 58, No. 25 Providence 38: Karl-Anthony Townes and Willie Cauley-Stein each scored 11 points to lead a balanced scoring attack as the Wildcats routed the visiting Friars.

Five players — Alex Poythress, Aaron Harrison, Andrew Harrison, Dakari Johnson and Tyler Ulis — each scored six points for Kentucky (7-0), which recorded 13 assists on 24 baskets. The Wildcats had 12 steals, including four by Andrew Harrison, who also dished out four assists.

Tyler Harris and Carson Desrosiers each had 10 points to lead Providence (6-1), which shot 28.2 percent from the field, including 3-of-12 from 3-point range. LaDontae Henton came into the game averaging 24.3 points but was held to just three on 1-of-8 shooting.

Kentucky scored the first six points of the game, making it look like a possible runaway from the outset, but Providence went ahead on Harris' dunk with 13:26 to play and held the lead for the next 10 minutes of the game. Cauley-Stein's layup with just over three minutes to go put the Wildcats ahead and started a 7-2 run to end the half, putting Kentucky up by four at the break.

The Wildcats took over 3 1/2 minutes to score after halftime, but they turned a one-point advantage into a 15-point lead with an 18-4 spurt over an eight-minute span to turn the game into a blowout. The lead reached as much as 20 as Kentucky cruised the rest of the way.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Kentucky won the board battle, 33-29, led by Cauley-Stein and Towns' six boards apiece. … The Wildcats struggled from the free-throw line, hitting 8-of-17. … Providence tied its season high by committing 18 turnovers.