UCLA prevailed in a game of wild momentum swings by showing the needed poise in the final minutes, something that had been missing in a recent loss to Michigan when the Bruins relinquished a 15-point lead.
Holiday made a driving layup to extend the lead to 79-73 before Bruins forward GG Goloman stole a Kentucky pass. Holiday then made two more free throws to essentially seal the outcome.
UCLA (9-3) scored the first 11 points of the second half, completing a 21-2 run that gave the Bruins a 50-39 lead after Prince Ali buried a three-pointer.
Kentucky then switched to a zone that befuddled the Bruins and triggered a 13-2 surge for the Wildcats that pulled them into a 52-52 tie.