UK scored the first seven points of the game before USC got on the board at the 17:13 mark.
The Gamecocks battled back and took their only lead of the game, 18-17, with 10:22 on the clock.
The Wildcats responded with a 28-6 spurt to go ahead 45-24 at intermission, UK's largest halftime lead this season against an SEC opponent.
UK is 15-1 this season when leading at halftime.
Second-Half Story
South Carolina closed within 15 points on two occasions in the second half, 53-38 and 55-40.
Team Notes
Kentucky held South Carolina to 55 points. The Cats are 30-0 under Calipari when the foe tallies 55 or fewer.
South Carolina shot 28.8 percent from the field, the sixth-consecutive opponent UK has held under 40 percent.
UK shot 61.4 percent from the field, the highest against an SEC foe this season. The Wildcats are 8-0 this season when making at least half their shots.
Kentucky's rebound margin of +17 (42-25) was the largest this season against an SEC opponent.