The next one officially counts.
Kentucky finished its three-game exhibition schedule with an exciting 90-76 overtime win over Central Florida on Wednesday night.
The No. 23 Wildcats defeated Arkansas Little Rock and Texas Tech in their two previous exhibition games and will open the regular season on Tuesday against Manhattan.
In the final tuneup, veteran Milan Momcilovic led the Wildcats with 19 points, seven of them in overtime. Momcilovic set the tone for Kentucky's dominance in the extra period, scoring the first five points, including a 3-pointer on an assist from Mason Williams.
Kentucky outscored Central Florida 19-5 in overtime and scored 12 of the last 13 points for the final margin.
"You couldn't have asked for a better Week 6 challenge — just the way the game went," Kentucky coach Mark Pope said. "We couldn't have asked for anything better. We got to face some adversity, we got to be in some pressure situations, and we got to have some different lineups on the floor. We got to deal with some foul issues and all kind of issues during the game. It could not have been scripted better for us."
Central Florida coach Johnny Dawkins came away impressed with the Wildcats.
"They have a terrific team," he said. "No one's going to be who they are in October. Looking down the road for what they can become and they are going to become a great team by what I've seen."
Dawkins cited the team's early chemistry and 23 assists on 32 made field goals.
"I just look at the plays they made, the chemistry and continuity they already have," he said. "They had 23 assists in this game — that's a lot of guys connecting and playing together, well-coached team, and those are things that I look at. You look at that combined with the talent, you can only see them improving from this point on going forward, like we all will."
Mason Williams finished with 18 points and provided a spark off the bench for the Wildcats. Led by Williams, Kentucky's reserves finished with 31 points and connected seven of the team's 13 3-pointers in the contest.
Malachi Moreno had a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds and just missed a double-double with eight assists. Moreno was happy with his numbers, but more impressed with the team's ability to overcome adversity.
"It just shows our next play mentality," he said. "It's something we preach every day in our locker room. It's just next play. We were down, we missed two free throws, but then we came back and we tied the game. We just went on a run after that. And that's just because we had that next play mentality."
Alex Wilkins had 12 points and sank a jumper in the lane as time expired to tie the score at 71-71 and force overtime.
Kentucky led by double digits throughout most of the game until the Knights stormed back and forced overtime.
Kentucky struggled early and missed its first four 3-pointers before Ousman N’diaye connected on a trey with 14:53 remaining in the first half. Overall, the Wildcats missed eight of their first 10 shots, including a pair of threes by Ndiaye.
Pope likes the direction the team is headed after three exhibition encounters.
"We feel like we're still right on schedule with this young team, but they're just growing, and it's inspiring as it goes to watch them grow," he said.
Alex Wilkins watches the replay of his last-second shot that tied the game and sent the Cats to overtime where they defeated Central Florida 90-76 Wednesday night. (Photo by Les Nicholson)
