High Point trailed Kentucky by just six at halftime and pulled within two in the second half, but the No. 18-ranked Wildcats pulled away and took care of the Panthers, 84-64, Tuesday night at Rupp Arena.

A 24-5 Kentucky run midway through the second half broke things open and was the difference.

HPU led 9-5 early following a Dustin Van Weerdhuizen three-pointer. Kentucky clawed back and built a 29-18 lead before the Panthers chipped away and pulled within 38-32 at halftime.

High Point came within two points at 39-37 when Brent Halsch buried a three-pointer with 18:00 remaining. But the Cats put together a 24-5 run over nine minutes to effectively take the Panthers out of it.

Kentucky's Keith Bogans led all scorers with 21 points, while Gerald Fitch added 18 points.

Van Weerdhuizen paced HPU with 18 points, while Danny Gathings (14 points) and Joe Knight (10 points) also finished in double-figures.

Kentucky shot 63 percent from the field, which is the Cats' best performance in two years.

HPU heads to Charleston to face The Citadel on Thursday night. Tip-off is set for 7:15 pm.