LEXINGTON, Ky. — In a battle of one of the top offenses in the country versus one of the nation's best defenses, offense won out.

Despite losing point guard De'Aaron Fox to an ankle injury early in the game, Kentucky was able to withstand a career-high 34 points from South Carolina's Sindarius Thornwell and roll past the Gamecocks in a 85-69 win.

"(South Carolina) makes every shot a tough shot," Calipari said. "I thought our guys performed and were prepared, knew where to throw balls because of how they play."

Malik Monk finished with 27 points, Bam Adebayo 17 and Derek Willis 12 to lead Kentucky in scoring. The trio combined for 31 of Kentucky's 38 second half ponts.

Similar to Kentucky's last game against Mississippi State, the Wildcats jumped out to an early first half lead only to let the opponent back in it. Wenyen Gabriel scored eight of Kentucky's first 13 points by knocking down two 3-pointers and finishing at the rim after a sweet Euro step on the baseline.

Gabriel, De'Aaron Fox and Malik Monk helped Kentucky to a 27-12 lead with 8:17 left in the half. Fox, however, injured his right ankle after driving the lane. He didn't return for the rest of the game.

"It's not swelled," Calipari said of Fox's ankle after the game. "I think it might've been a stinger. Something hit his ankle so he's in a boot. But they said there's no swelling so I don't know."

Turnovers mounted for the Wildcats after Fox exited the game. Kentucky committed nine turnovers in the last 10:41 of the half which allowed the Gamecocks to claw back into the game.

Sindarius Thornwell was the main catalyst for South Carolina, scoring 20 first half points to keep the Gamecocks within striking distance. Kentucky led 47-38 at the break.

Kentucky, guided primarily by Monk, never allowed South Carolina to cut the lead under five in the second half. Kentucky led by double-digits for most of the final 20 minutes.

Guard Mychal Mulder didn't play for Kentucky because of an illness, so the Wildcats were thin at guard after Fox's injury. Senior Dominique Hawkins scored five points, grabbed three rebounds and dished out seven assists in 27 minutes of action.

"I just felt like I needed to do a little bit more," Hawkins said. "I knew coach was going to put me at point guard since De'Aaron was out, and I just wanted to take care of the ball and get other players involved."

Malik Monk. Monk had one of the worst games of his college career against Mississippi State. He was 5 of 14 from the field against the Bulldogs. But Monk went back to his old form against South Carolina.

Monk finished the game with 27 points on 9of 14 shooting.

Field goal percentage. Kentucky shot 59 percent while the Gamecocks shot 41 percent. Rebounds, made 3-pointers and second chance points were relatively close between the two teams, so field goal percentage sticks out the most in the box score.

Kentucky (17-2): The Wildcats travel to Knoxville on Tuesday night to take on Tennessee. The Vols are 9-9 on the season and play Mississippi State on Saturday night.

South Carolina (15-4): The Gamecocks will host Auburn on Tuesday night. The Tigers defeated Alabama on Saturday.