The University of Kentucky has held off a late charge by Kansas University to win the U.S. men's college basketball championship 67-59.

Top-seeded Kentucky dominated a fast-paced first half, leading by as many as 18 points. Freshman Anthony Davis led the way for the Wildcats, scoring just six points but collecting 16 rebounds and six blocks on his way to being named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player.

Kansas, which relied on comebacks throughout the tournament, rallied late in the second half to pull within five points with less than two minutes remaining in the game. But Kentucky was strong from the free-throw line, going 5-for-7 down the stretch to clinch the championship.

Kentucky coach John Calipari won his first title in four appearances in the Final Four. He credited his team's defense for the win, after the Wildcats held the Jayhawks to 36 percent shooting.

After the game, thousands of Kentucky fans clad in the school's signature blue celebrated in the city of Lexington, where the campus is located.