No. 9 Kentucky jumped on Oklahoma early but had to hold on late for a 76-64 victory, Monday in the opening round of the EA Sports Maui Classic.

The Wildcats got a monster game from freshman forward Terrence Jones to advance to the second round, where they’ll face the winner of Monday’s midnight nightcap between Washington and Virginia.

Jones had a game-high 29 points and 13 rebounds and made his presence felt on the defensive end with two blocks.

Kentucky jumped out to a 21-8 lead and was up 14 at half. John Calipari’s young squad maintained a double-digit lead through much of the second half, but was unable to put the Sooners away.

Oklahoma (3-1) made a late run and cut the Kentucky lead to six on a Cade Davis 3-pointer with two minutes to play, but wasn’t able to get any closer.

Davis, the lone returning starter for Jeff Capel’s transitioning program, led the Sooners with 21 points.

Kentucky improved to 3-0, despite making just 11 of 22 free throws.