Milan Momcilovic announced his arrival in Lexington with a commanding performance, scoring 24 points on efficient 8-of-12 shooting to propel No. 23 Kentucky to an 85-57 victory over Manhattan on Tuesday night. The Iowa State transfer was particularly lethal from beyond the arc, draining six of his nine three-point attempts in his debut for the Wildcats. Supporting the star, Zoom Diallo contributed 12 points while Alex Wilkins added 11, helping Kentucky secure its fifth consecutive season opener and extending its winning streak to three straight under head coach Mark Pope.
Key Match Highlights & Tactical Analysis
The game was effectively decided in the final 13 minutes of the first half, where Kentucky outscored the Jaspers 41-10 to build an insurmountable 48-22 halftime lead. The Wildcats’ reserves ignited a 13-0 run that included three consecutive three-pointers, showcasing the team’s depth and shooting prowess. Kentucky finished the night shooting 53% from the field and made 12 of 31 three-pointers, with Momcilovic leading the charge by scoring 11 points in the first half alone.
Manhattan (0-1) struggled to contain the Wildcats’ offensive firepower, with Novak Manojlovic and Kevin Kearney leading the Jaspers with 11 points each. Despite their efforts, the gap widened rapidly as Kentucky’s perimeter shooting continued to punish Manhattan’s defense. The decisive run highlighted the Wildcats’ ability to strike early and often, setting the tone for a comfortable win that underscores their status as a top-25 contender heading into the rest of the season.
Source: Yahoo Sports
