No. 1 Kentucky kept its dream of a perfect season alive on Tuesday night in Lexington, holding off a scrappy Georgia Bulldogs team 69-58 at Rupp Arena.

The Wildcats (22-0, 9-0 SEC) jumped out to an early double-digit lead. They scored 10 of the game’s first 11 points, with the lone Georgia point coming from a Kenny Gaines free throw, and appeared en route to yet another blowout victory.

Kentucky led by as many as 17 in a first half that saw more Georgia turnovers (12) than field goals (nine), and it took a 42-27 advantage into the break.

The Bulldogs (14-7, 5-4 SEC) were playing without their leading scorer and rebounder Marcus Thornton for a second straight game, but they had some fight in them when play resumed.

They kept hanging around, whittling the Kentucky lead into the single digits with stronger defense, fewer empty possessions and a huge 36-24 edge on the glass.

Georgia got as close as five points late in the game, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a shaky start.

Andrew Harrison and Karl Anthony-Towns were huge for the Wildcats, who are now three wins away from tying the best record to start a season in school history.

Harrison led all scorers with 23 points and seven assists.

Towns had his third double-double of the season, adding 15 points and 13 boards.

Nemanja Djurisic led the Bulldogs with 17 points.

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