Knight scores 30, Kentucky beats West Virginia

Kentucky’s head coach John Calipari reacts during the first half against West Virginia in a third-round East regional NCAA college basketball game in Tampa, Fla., Saturday March 19, 2011.

Chris O’Meara, Associated Press

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Kentucky’s head coach John Calipari gestures to his team during the first half against West Virginia in a third-round East regional NCAA tournament basketball game in Tampa, Fla., Saturday March 19, 2011.

Chris O’Meara, Associated Press

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West Virginia’s Deniz Kilicli (13) goes for a basket as Kentucky’s Brandon Knight (12) defends during the first half in a third-round East regional NCAA tournament college basketball game in Tampa, Fla., Saturday March 19, 2011.

Chris O’Meara, Associated Press

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Kentucky’s Josh Harrellson (55) aims for a basket as West Virginia’s Cam Thoroughman (2) defends during the second half of a third-round East regional NCAA tournament college basketball game in Tampa, Fla., Saturday March 19, 2011.

Chris O’Meara, Associated Press

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Kentucky’s head coach John Calipari looks up during the first half against West Virginia in a third-round East regional NCAA college basketball game in Tampa, Fla., Saturday March 19, 2011.

Chris O’Meara, Associated Press

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West Virginia’s Joe Mazzulla, center, goes for a basket as Kentucky’s Josh Harrellson (55) defends during the first half in a third-round East regional NCAA tournament college basketball game in Tampa, Fla., Saturday March 19, 2011.

Chris O’Meara, Associated Press

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Kentucky’s Josh Harrellson (55) tips in a basket at West Virginia’s Cam Thoroughman (2) defends during the second half of a third-round East regional NCAA tournament college basketball game in Tampa, Fla., Saturday March 19, 2011.

John Raoux, Associated Press

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The Kentucky bench look down court as their team falls behind West Virginia in the second half of a third-round East regional NCAA tournament college basketball game in Tampa, Fla., Saturday March 19, 2011.

John Raoux, Associated Press

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Kentucky’s DeAndre Liggins (34) gestures after his team scored a 3-point basket against West Virginia during the first half of a third-round East regional NCAA tournament college basketball game in Tampa, Fla., Saturday March 19, 2011.

Chris O’Meara, Associated Press

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Kentucky’s Brandon Knight (12) cheers as his team pulls ahead of West Virginia during the final minutes of the second half in a third-round East regional NCAA tournament college basketball game in Tampa, Fla., Saturday March 19, 2011.

Chris O’Meara, Associated Press

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West Virginia’s Deniz Kilicli, center, dunks the ball as Kentucky’s Brandon Knight, left, and Terrence Jones (3) defend during the first half in a third-round East regional NCAA tournament college basketball game in Tampa, Fla., Saturday March 19, 2011.

John Raoux, Associated Press

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Kentucky’s Eloy Vargas (30) stops a shot to the basket by West Virginia’s Joe Mazzulla (21) during the first half iin a third-round East regional NCAA tournament college basketball game in Tampa, Fla., Saturday March 19, 2011.

Chris O’Meara, Associated Press

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Kentucky’s Josh Harrellson, right, and West Virginia’s Deniz Kilicli (13) go after a loose ball during the second half of a third-round East regional NCAA tournament college basketball game in Tampa, Fla., Saturday March 19, 2011.

Chris O’Meara, Associated Press

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TAMPA, Fla. — Freshman Brandon Knight scored a career-high 30 points and Josh Harrellson delivered eight of his 15 during a pivotal stretch of the second half, helping fourth-seeded Kentucky beat No. 5 seed West Virginia 71-63 in the NCAA tournament Saturday.

Knight made six free throws in the final minute as the Wildcats (27-8) pulled away to advance to East regional semifinals against either No. 1 seed Ohio State or eighth-seeded George Mason. It's the second trip to the round of 16 in as many seasons under coach John Calipari.

West Virginia, which reached the Final Four a year ago by beating Kentucky in the regional final, led 41-33 after closing the opening half on a 22-7 run. But Kentucky scored the first 11 points coming out of the break and eventually wore down the Mountaineers (22-12).

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