No. 1 Kentucky 77, South Carolina 43: Willie Cauley-Stein had 14 points and seven rebounds as the Wildcats routed the Gamecocks to match the best start in school history.

Aaron Harrison tallied 11 points and Dakari Johnson matched his career high of 13 rebounds to go with 10 points for Kentucky (25-0, 12-0 SEC), which had a dominating 45-21 rebounding advantage. The 1953-54 Wildcats also went 25-0 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp.

Sindarius Thornwell scored 20 points but was just 5-of-17 shooting for South Carolina (12-12, 3-9). The Gamecocks shot 23.6 percent from the field while falling for the seventh time in nine games.

Kentucky wasted no time charging out to a lead and had an 18-3 advantage eight-plus minutes into the contest. The lead reached 26-6 on Harrison’s three-point play and sat at 27 late in the half before the Wildcats settled for a 43-18 lead at the break.

The Wildcats increased their edge to 56-23 on two free throws by Trey Lyles with 11:23 remaining. Karl-Anthony Towns’ layup capped a 12-0 burst to make it 72-33 with 4:27 to go as Kentucky continued the assault.

GAME NOTEBOOK: … Wildcats G Andrew Harrison added nine points and six assists. … South Carolina G Justin McKie (concussion) was scoreless in five minutes off the bench in his return from a five-game absence. … Kentucky coach John Calipari was named a finalist for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class for 2015 earlier Saturday.