Alex Wilkins secured a 78-77 victory for No. 24 Kentucky against Northern Arizona with a 3-pointer delivered with two seconds remaining on Friday night.
- Chris Komin emerged as a standout performer after logging 25 points, seven rebounds, and six assists against Kentucky.
- The Wildcats’ thin rebounding margin (20 boards to Northern Arizona’s 32) highlights an immediate depth chart vulnerability for managers tracking frontcourt production.
Kentucky needed one final shot to avoid a stunning upset at Rupp Arena after nearly squandering a 13-point advantage. Wilkins knocked down the decisive 3-pointer with two seconds left on the clock.
The finish transformed a contest that had seemed entirely under control into a scramble. Mason Williams scored with 14 seconds remaining to pull Kentucky within two points at 77-75.
Wildcat dub pic.twitter.com/DPITMLZpGM
Northern Arizona then missed a pair of free throws, opening the door for the Wildcats. Wilkins capitalized on the opportunity, ensuring Kentucky survived a night that flirted with disaster.
Kentucky’s first half offered little warning of the dramatic conclusion. The Wildcats went to the break leading 45-37 after building their largest lead of 13 points.
Northern Arizona steadily worked their way back into contention after intermission. The visitors scored 40 points after halftime, shot 50% from beyond the arc, and turned the affair into a tense, one-possession battle.
Chris Komin led the charge for Northern Arizona with 25 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Lucas Toukam contributed 18 points, turning the late push into a collective team effort rather than a one-player show.
Northern Arizona finished the game with 13 made 3-pointers and grabbed 32 rebounds. By contrast, Kentucky managed only 20 boards.
Kentucky’s shooting efficiency kept the program afloat throughout the night. The Wildcats made 56.4% of their field goal attempts, finished with 21 assists, and limited themselves to just four turnovers.
However, the glaring rebounding gap and the sustained second-half surge by the Lumberjacks left the outcome hanging on the final possessions. Kentucky’s squad avoided a second defeat following an 89-69 loss to Kansas in the Champions Classic, but the long stretch of play that required a buzzer-beater remains the primary concern.
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