Kentucky Opens With 85-57 Win as Momcilovic Scores 24

Milan Momcilovic made six 3-pointers and shot 8 for 12 overall as Kentucky began its season with a win over Manhattan in Lexington on November 3. The Iowa State transfer finished with 24 points. Zoom Diallo added 12 for the Wildcats, while Wilkins scored 11 and set a Kentucky record for steals in a player’s debut, with seven.

Kentucky took control with a 41-10 stretch over the final 13 minutes of the first half, going into the break ahead 48-22. The run included a 13-point burst sparked by reserves and three straight 3-pointers. Kentucky made 12 of 31 attempts from beyond the arc, shot 53% from the field and outrebounded Manhattan 40-26. The Wildcats also had 20 assists and 26 points from their bench.

Manhattan shot 35% overall and 27% from 3-point range. Novak Manojlovic and Kevin Kearney each scored 11 points for the Jaspers. Kentucky coach Mark Pope praised Wilkins’ defensive energy and said he could improve further by maintaining his commitment on that end. Kentucky is scheduled to host James Madison on Friday; Manhattan is set to welcome Albany that night.