The ‘Cats outlasted the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks on Friday night at Rupp Arena thanks to a Alex Wilkins step-back three with under 3-seconds to play to win by a score of 78-77. The game saw a whopping 13 lead changes, most of which were in the last 5 minutes of the game as the two teams exchanged dagger after dagger. The ‘Cats were led by a trio of Alex Wilkins, Milan Momcilovic and Malachi Moreno who all contributed 14-points in the game. The Lumberjacks were led by Guard Chris Komin, who finished the game with a game-high 25-points, while also adding 7-rebounds and 6-assists in the game. In a game that unexpectedly raised the blood pressures and heart rates of ‘Cats fans in Rupp Arena and throughout the state, the ‘Cats did survive the scare and come out on top to move to 3-1 in the young season. They will return to Rupp Arena on Monday night to take on Grambling State before taking a trip to Indianapolis to take on their tired but historic rival Indiana Hoosiers on the hardwood in Lucas Oil Stadium next Friday. The temperature around the program is rising, and Pope has to be feeling the pressure to perform as the season continues to roll into late November.
Pre-Game Overview:
The starting lineup for the ‘Cats featured Zoom Diallo, Alex Wilkins, Ousmane N’Diaye, Milan Momcilovic, and Malachi Moreno.
The spread for Saturday afternoon’s game was –30.5 (Kentucky) and the Over/Under was set at 152.5.
Game Recap:
First Half
Moreno and the ‘Cats won the tip and Momcilovic missed the first three attempt of the game. Northern Arizona scored the first points of the game off a putback dunk from Toukam. The Lumberjacks scored in the paint off a quick drive and Moreno responded with the ‘Cats first points of the game. Anderson nailed Northern Arizonas first three of the game and N’Diaye responded with the ‘Cats first three of the game. Moreno turned the ball over off a sloppy pass to a cutting Wilkins. Green slammed home a dunk off a screen pass for the Lumberhacks. Diallo nailed a three at the top of the key to make it 9-8 Northern Arizona at the first media timeout. N’Diaye nailed another three for Kentucky to give the ‘Cats an 11-9 lead. Diallo nailed a short mid-range jumper. The Lumberjacks nailed a corner three to take a 14-13 lead. Northern Arizona led 14-13 at the under 12-minute media timeout. McBride nailed his first three attempt of the game for Kentucky. The Lumberjacks responded with an easy score off a losse ball. McBridde then scored again for the ‘Cats on a jumper. Toukam scored again in the paint over Moreno. Moreno then responded with a score of his own in the paint. Diallo took his defender off the screen and bounce and scored an easy layup. Zoom found a running N’Diaye for an easy transition score to make it 24-20 Kentucky at the under 8-minute media timeout. The ‘Cats picked up a steal and N’Daiye dribbled into a transition three to end a 2-minute scoring drought and bring the ‘Cats lead to 27-20 with 5:35-minutes to play. Momcilovic scored on a fade away jumper after a solid defensive stop to force a shot clock violation. The Lumberjacks responded with a three on the other end. Wilkins scored at the rim for the ‘Cats then stole a pass and finished a dunk in transition to make it 33-23 at the under 4-minute media timeout. Momcilovic nailed a three off a screen for the ‘Cats. Momcilovic nailed another three off a screen and go from Moreno. Komin nailed back to back three to narrows the ‘Cats lead to 39-32. Mason Williams was fouled and went to the line for the ‘Cats for the first free-throws of the game. He hit both free-throws. Moreno scored on an and-one opportunity in the paint for the ‘Cats. He missed the free-throw. Komin nailed another three for the Lumberjacks. Moreno scored in the paint once again. The ‘Cats led 45-37 at halftime.
The ‘Cats shot an efficient 62% from the field in the first half and 47% (7 of 15) from beyond the arc. The ‘Cats lackluster first half defense allowed the Lumberjacks to stay within striking distance, as they shot 46% from the field in the half and 40% (6 of 15) the three-point line. Ousmane N’Diaye led the ‘Cats with 11 first half points while Moreno and Momcilovic followed with 8-points each. The ‘Cats made 8 of their last 9 field goal attempts from the field to finish the half. They will look to hit their stride on both the offesnive and defensive end in the second half.
Halftime: Kentucky 45 – Northern Arizona 37
Second Half
The Lumberjacks began with the ball to begin the second half but were unable to score in the paint over Moreno. Moreno then scored himself on the other end off a Wilkins assist. The Lumberjacks nailed a corner three on the next possession. Moreno was fouled on the next ‘Cats offensive possession. He hit both free-throws. The Lumberjacks went on a run to make the score 49-46 ‘Cats with 16:30-minutes to play. Northern Arizona scored once again to cap an 8-0 run over a 3:30-minute stretch to make it 49-48 Kentucky at the under 16-minute media timeout. The ‘Cats went into the huddle to begin the timeout to an array of “boos” from the Rupp Arena crowd. Northern Arizona nailed a three to take a 51-49 lead. Wilkins regained the lead with a three to make it 52-51. The ‘Cats defense then forced a shot clock violation on the defensive end. Abelman nailed a three to give Northern Arizona the lead right back. Komin dirbbled into the paint and hit a floater. Wilkins drove in and scored on a runner to make the score 56-54 Lumberjacks. The ‘Cats trailed the Lumberjacks 58-54 with 10:50-minutes to go in the game. Momcilovic nailed a three for Kentucky. The ‘Cats trailed the Lumberjacks 60-57 with 7:41-minutes to play. Anderson hit a floater and Mason Williams responded with a score. Wilkins hit a running floater off the backboard for the score. Wilkins found Moreno for a score to retake a 63-62 lead. Komin was fouled and hit both free-throws. McBride nailed a three at the top of the key to make it 66-64 Kentucky. Komin nailed a three to answer for the Lumberjacks. Mcbride scored on a floater on the other end for the ‘Cats. Abelman nailed another three for Northern Arizona. Kentucky trailed 70-68 with 2:54-minutes to play. Moreno got a defensive stop for Kentucky. Momcilovic air mailed a three on the other end for the ‘Cats. Toukam slammed home a missed three for the Lumberjacks to give them a 72-68 lead with 1:37-minutes remaining. Mason Williams scored on a runner in the paint. Komin scored on a acrobatic layup and Momcilovic scored an and-one in transition. The ‘Cats trailed 74-73. Bennett nailed a three at the top of the key for a 77-73 Northern Arizona lead. Mason Williams hit a deep contested two to make the score 77-75 Lumberjacks with 13-seconds to go. The Lumberjacks missed the front-end of consecutive one-and-ones and the ‘Cats ripped down the second rebound. Wilkins nailed a step-back three with 2-seconds to go to give Kentuckyt a 78-77 lead. The Lumberjacks missed a half-court heave at the buzzer and the ‘Cats escaped with a 78-77 win.
Final: Kentucky 78 – Northern Arizona 77
Game Stats:
Northern Arizona FG %: 52% (50% 3PT – 13 of 26) (83% FT – 10 of 12)
Kentucky FG %: 56% (42% 3PT – 11 of 26) (83% FT – 5 of 6)
Rebounds: 32 – 20 Northern Arizona
Assist/Turnover Ratio: 21:4
Turnovers: UK (4), Northern Arizona (10)
Bench Points: 18 – 15 Kentucky
Points off Turnovers: 11 – 8 Kentucky
Fast Break Points: 21 – 5 Kentucky
Paint Points: 28 – 26 Kentucky
Player Stats:
Alex Wilkins – [(14 points) (4 assists) (1 steal)]
Malachi Moreno – [(14 points) (6 rebounds) (6 assists) (3 blocks)]
Milan Momcilovic – [(14 points) (2 assists)]
Ousmane N’Diaye – [(11 points) (5 rebounds) (1 assist) (1 block)]
Justin McBridge – [(10 points) (1 block)]
Mason Williams – [(8 points) (2 rebounds) (4 assists)]
Zoom Diallo – [(7 points) (3 rebounds) (3 assists) (2 steals)]
Braydon Hawthorne – [(1 assist) (1 steal)]
Franck Kepnang – [(No statistics recorded in 4 minutes of game time)]
Kam Williams – [(DNP)]
Reece Potter – [(DNP)]
Zyon Hawthorne – [(DNP)]
Jerone Morton – [OUT]
Trent Noah – [OUT]
Next Game:
The No. 24 Kentucky Wildcats (3-1, 0-0 SEC) will return to Rupp Arena to take on the Grambling State Tigers (1-1) on Monday, November 16th. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EST. The game will be televised on the SEC Network.
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