SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Eric Atkins scored 16 points and Notre Dame beat No. 8 Kentucky 64-50 on Thursday night for its 41st victory in the past 42 home games.

Jack Cooley and Jerian Grant each had 13 points for the Fighting Irish (7-1), who opened an 11-point lead by halftime and were never threatened the rest of the way.

Notre Dame outplayed Kentucky (4-2) inside during the first half and held the Wildcats to a season-low 40 percent shooting for the game. Students rushed the floor after the Irish wrapped up their second win against the Wildcats in the past 13 meetings.

After struggling early, the Irish made 9 of 10 shots during a 24-11 run at the end of the first half and Kentucky couldn’t get any closer than 10 points in the second half.

Julius Mays led Kentucky with 16 points and Nerlens Noel had 10.

Two of Kentucky’s heralded freshmen struggled. Archie Goodwin, who is averaging 19 points, was 1 of 7 shooting and finished with three points and Alex Polythress, who is averaging 18.4 points, had just one basket and was 1 of 3 from the free-throw line.

NO. 7 FLORIDA 82, MARQUETTE 49

At Gainesville, Fla., Michael Frazier II scored 17 points, one of six Florida players in double figures, and the Gators routed Marquette (5-2) in the SEC-Big East Challenge.

Florida (6-0) took control midway through the first half, building a double-digit lead thanks to Frazier’s hot hand and solid defense, and never let up.

LSU 72, SETON HALL 67

At Baton Rouge, La., Shavon Coleman scored 14 second-half points as LSU rallied in a SEC-Big East Challenge game.

The Tigers, who trailed 48-32 less than four minutes into the second half, used a full-court press to turn the game around. The Pirates committed 17 turnovers the rest of the game.

Coleman gave LSU (5-0) the lead for good on a field goal with 2:15 left.

STATE MEN

USC UPSTATE 73, UNC ASHEVILLE 71

At Asheville, N.C., Torrey Craig scored 27 points and Ty Greene made two of four free throws in the final 7 seconds as South Carolina-Upstate overcame a 16-point, second-half deficit.

The Spartans (3-4) trailed 71-69 when Ricardo Glenn’s tip shot tied it with 8 seconds left. Greene, who was fouled a second later, hit the second of two free throws to give the Spartans their first lead. Greene made his second foul shot with 3 seconds left to finish with 16 points.

NOTES

Dixon leaves Missouri

Suspended Missouri guard Michael Dixon has left the team after two sexual assault claims by a female student and a Mizzou graduate.

School officials confirmed Dixon’s intent to transfer. He has been benched all season for No. 13 Missouri’s (5-1). The senior averaged 13.5 points as Missouri’s sixth man last season and was a projected starter.