Kentucky beats UCF 90-76 in overtime to finish preseason 3-0

Overtime Win Secures Preseason Sweep for Kentucky Basketball

Kentucky needed an extra five minutes to secure a 90-76 victory over the Central Florida Knights inside Rupp Arena on Wednesday night, closing out their exhibition slate with a 3-0 record. Alex Wilkins delivered the crucial basket in regulation, hitting a runner in the lane just before the clock hit zero to knot the score at 71-71. The Wildcats then dominated the overtime period, outscoring UCF 19-5 to seal the win.

The final exhibition offered a stark look at a team still ironing out early-season inconsistencies. Mark Pope’s group shot 44.4 percent from the field overall and hit 13 of 36 attempts from beyond the arc for a 36.1 percent clip. Ball movement was a bright spot with 23 assists on 32 made field goals, but defensive lapses allowed the Knights to claw back from double-digit deficits.

Stat Sheet Standouts and Shooting Cold Spells

Both teams struggled to find an offensive rhythm early. UCF missed eight of its first nine shots, while Kentucky started 2-10 from the floor. The Wildcats eventually found their footing through a 7-0 run fueled by Milan Momcilovic and freshman Mason Williams, building a 14-5 lead by the second media timeout. Braydon Hawthorne added a spark off the bench with a pair of tough three-pointers, helping stake Kentucky to a 39-35 halftime advantage.

The momentum completely vanished after the intermission. UCF opened the second half with a 6-0 run, and Kentucky later endured a scoring drought lasting over four minutes down the stretch. The Knights capitalized, trading blows until Arturo Dean hit two free throws to give UCF a 70-69 lead with 26 seconds remaining in regulation.

Player	Points	Rebounds	Assists
Milan Momcilovic	19	6	–
Mason Williams	18	–	–
Malachi Moreno	16	14	8
Alex Wilkins	12	–	–

Momcilovic led all scorers with 19 points and six rebounds, anchoring the offense when it mattered most. Malachi Moreno delivered a comprehensive performance, tallying 16 points, 14 rebounds, and eight assists. Williams continued his impressive freshman campaign with 18 points, while Wilkins finished with 12, including five crucial points in the overtime frame.

The Road Ahead in Lexington

While the preseason concluded with an unblemished record, the narrow escape highlighted areas requiring immediate attention before the regular-season opener. UCF shot just 34.3 percent from the field, yet stayed competitive through second-half runs and capitalizing on Kentucky’s missed opportunities at the free-throw line late in regulation.

Kentucky beats UCF 90-76 in overtime to finish preseason 3-0 — Photo: wkyt.com

The real test begins next Tuesday, Nov. 3, when Kentucky returns to Rupp Arena to host Manhattan in its official season opener. Whether the Wildcats can tighten their execution over a full forty minutes remains the central question as the calendar turns to November.