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Wilkins’ Late Three Saves No. 24 Kentucky From Northern Arizona Upset, 78-77
By Piper Rampage
Photo: The original uploader was Analogue Kid at English Wikipedia . / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.5)
LEXINGTON, Ky. — No. 24 Kentucky escaped with a 78-77 victory over winless Northern Arizona on Friday night at Rupp Arena, surviving a stunning upset bid when Alex Wilkins buried a 3-pointer with 2.1 seconds remaining.
The Wildcats improved to 3-1, but the narrow victory against a team that entered 0-3 raised serious questions about Kentucky’s performance. Northern Arizona dropped to 0-4 despite pushing a nationally ranked opponent to the final seconds in the first meeting between the schools.
Kentucky entered favored by more than 30 points against a Lumberjacks team picked last in the Big Sky. Instead, the Wildcats found themselves in a one-possession game after trailing by five in the second half. Kentucky had led by as many as 13 in the first half, but the contest featured 13 lead changes and four ties.
The performance came just days after Kentucky’s 89-69 loss to No. 15 Kansas in Tuesday night’s Champions Classic. Friday offered an opportunity to respond at home. The Wildcats got the victory, but not without an extraordinary escape.
Northern Arizona had entered the game after three consecutive losses to UNLV, New Mexico and Arizona by a combined 72 points. Against Kentucky, the Lumberjacks looked far more competitive, taking advantage of their physical work around the basket and keeping the pressure on throughout the second half.
The finish was dramatic. Kentucky trailed 77-73 with just 18 seconds remaining. A Wildcats basket cut the deficit to two, but Northern Arizona had an opportunity to close out the game at the free-throw line.
The Lumberjacks missed two free throws in the final 13 seconds, leaving Kentucky with one last opening. Wilkins took advantage, knocking down the decisive 3-pointer with 2.1 seconds remaining to complete the comeback and deliver the 78-77 win.
The rebounding numbers illustrated how close Kentucky came to disaster. Northern Arizona outrebounded the Wildcats 32-20, scored 26 points in the paint and added 11 second-chance points. Those advantages helped keep the Lumberjacks competitive despite entering as overwhelming underdogs.
The frustration inside Rupp Arena was evident. USA Today reported that some fans chanted for head coach Mark Pope’s firing during the game.
Attendance was 19,459, according to Kentucky athletics’ official postgame notes.
Kentucky hosts Grambling State on Monday, then plays Indiana on Friday. The Wildcats have a victory, but Friday’s escape leaves plenty to address before those matchups.
Piper Rampage
Men’s College Basketball, The Library Media
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