In a thrilling finish at Rupp Arena on Friday night, Alex Wilkins rescued No. 24 Kentucky with a step‑back three‑pointer that fell with just 2.2 seconds remaining. The shot secured a 78‑77 win over the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks, snapping a brief slump and keeping the Cats’ early‑season momentum alive.
Game flow and key moments
The Lumberjacks built a 77‑73 lead late in the second half after Cade Bennett knocked down a three‑pointer with 22 seconds left on the clock. Kentucky answered quickly, with Mason Williams driving to the basket and converting a layup that cut the deficit to 77‑75.
NAU then had two chances to seal the game. They missed the front end of a one‑and‑one opportunity, and after the first miss Kentucky’s Malachi Moreno inadvertently sent the rebound out of bounds. The second miss gave Kentucky possession, and the team pushed the ball up the court in a final, frantic possession.
Wilkins, who had already contributed 14 points, received the ball near the three‑point line, created space with a step‑back move, and released a clean shot that swished through the net. The buzzer sounded moments later, confirming the Cats’ narrow victory.
Statistical snapshot
Northern Arizona shot 13‑of‑26 from beyond the arc, while Kentucky connected on 11‑of‑26 three‑pointers. Wilkins, Milan Momcilovic, and Moreno each tallied 14 points for the Wildcats. Moreno also added six rebounds and six assists, showcasing his all‑around contribution.
Coach Pope’s perspective
After the win, head coach Mark Pope praised his team’s resilience. “Proud of our guys for coming up with the win, finding a way to win,” Pope said. He reflected on the week’s challenges, noting a 20‑point loss to Kansas in the Champions Classic and the Lumberjacks’ early‑season 0‑4 record.
“I hope everybody had fun,” Pope added. “It was a pretty exciting game. You saw a Northern Arizona team playing great basketball and a Kentucky team that was trying to find themselves. It came down to the last second, and it was entertaining.”
Looking ahead
The Wildcats (3‑1) will host Grambling State on Monday night at 7 p.m., giving fans another opportunity to see the team build on its recent success. The following Friday, Kentucky travels to Indianapolis to face Indiana (4‑0) at Lucas Oil Stadium, a matchup that will be broadcast live on WLKY and CBS.
With the season still in its early stages, Kentucky’s ability to close out tight games will be a key factor in its pursuit of a top‑tier ranking. Wilkins’ clutch performance provides a promising sign that the team possesses the poise needed for the challenges ahead.
Original reporting: WLKY Louisville — read the source article.
