LEXINGTON, Ky. — University of Kentucky fans got their first look at coach Mark Pope’s style of basketball Wednesday night as the Wildcats rolled over Kentucky Wesleyan, 123-52, in their first exhibition game at Rupp Arena.
The early returns looked good for the Cats, with eight players scoring in double figures off of 63% shooting from the floor and 50% from beyond the arc.
Scoring was led by Jaxson Robinson, who had 19. Otega Oweh had 18 points and Ansley Almonor had 15. Off the bench, Koby Brea had 15 points and Amari Williams added 12 points with six assists. Kentucky native Trent Noah added 12 points for the Cats. Rounding out the double digit scorers were Lamont Butler, with 11 points, and Andrew Carr, who scored 10.
Pope said he was pleased with his team’s play, especially for their first time facing a real opponent.
“I thought our guys, from the very beginning, did a tremendous job making plays for teammates, playing off two feet, winning the gap, being judicious and really sharing the ball the way we hope to and anticipate that we will,” Pope said. “It was a good night for us.”
Kentucky made 48 of 76 from the floor (63.2%) for the game, including 21 of 42 (50%) from three-point range. The team had 32 assists on the 48 made baskets. The Cats had five runs in the game where they hit at least four shots in a row.
The Panthers had the game tied 4-4 early when the Wildcats began at 9-0 run and never looked back. They outscored the Panthers 23-2 over nearly five minutes of game play, building a commanding 27-6 lead.
In the first half, Kentucky hit 24 of 39 shots, including 8 of 20 from behind the arc and took a 60-24 lead into the locker room at the break.
UK continued to extend its lead in the second half and the final margin of victory was their largest lead of the game.
Kentucky plays its final exhibition game on Tuesday night, facing defending NCAA Division II national champion Minnesota State-Mankato. The game will tip off at 7 p.m. ET and can be seen on SEC Network Plus.
