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Kentucky beats Texas Tech: Exhibition results and recap
- Story byWildcats Wire
- Kentucky beats Texas Tech: Exhibition results and recap
The 2026-27 season is just around the corner for the Kentucky basketball team, and they continued getting ready by playing their second of three exhibition games. Tonight, they took on the Texas Tech Red Raiders , and came away with a 76-65 victory.
Kentucky was ranked No. 23 in the preseason USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll . Texas Tech came in a few spots higher at No. 16, though they were without their star, J.T. Toppin, who is working his way back from a serious knee injury. The Wildcats were without Kam Williams, Trent Noah, and Jerone Morton.
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The Wildcats started the game slowly once again, but turned it on midway through the first half. The defense keyed a run that took them from down seven to up by eight. Then, in the second half, they pulled away behind timely plays by Mason Williams, and bit shots by Alex Wilkins.
Five Wildcats ended the game in double-figures, led by Milan Momcilovic and Malachi Moreno, who each had 15 points. Williams had 14, and Wilkins had 13. Wilkins also had 7 assists and 3 steals. They advance to 2-0 in the exhibition season, with one more game to play.
Kentucky vs Texas Tech score
| Quarter |
H1 |
H2 |
Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Tech |
33 |
32 |
65 |
| Kentucky |
37 |
39 |
76 |
Kentucky vs Texas Tech live updates, analysis
Hit refresh for the latest updates from Kentucky's exhibition game against Texas Tech at Rupp Arena.
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Final score: Kentucky 76 - Texas Tech 65
09:01 PM ET, October 23 2026
Kentucky started slow, but finished the game strong, and the Wildcats will get the win. They take it 76-65, and are 2-0 in exhibition play.
Alex Wilkins gets another steal
08:59 PM ET, October 23 2026
As we head into the final minute, Wilkins once again steps into the passing lane and gets the steal. He heads to the free throw line.
Milan Momcilovic dagger
08:55 PM ET, October 23 2026
Kentucky hustles off a Alex Wilkins miss. Off a loose ball, they find a wide open Momcilovic, who knocks down a big three pointer to put the Cats up by ten.
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Highlight: Alex Wilkins from deeeep
08:49 PM ET, October 23 2026
Alex Wilkins three pointer x2
08:46 PM ET, October 23 2026
Wilkins drops another three pointer, and the Kentucky lead is now nine points. The Kentucky crowd is back into it.
Alex Wilkins from way downtown
08:45 PM ET, October 23 2026
Wilkins pulls up from well outside the three point line and it falls to put Kentucky back up by six points.
Mason Williams heating up
08:41 PM ET, October 23 2026
Williams gets into the lane and hits a tough jumper over a defender. He puts Kentucky up by six.
Mason Williams from three point range
08:36 PM ET, October 23 2026
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That was good ball movement by Kentucky. They eventually work the ball around to Mason Williams who knocks down a big three pointer. Kentucky leads 57-54.
Texas Tech cuts the lead to two
08:33 PM ET, October 23 2026
The Wildcats backups aren't holding up defensively, and the Red Raiders have cut the lead two just a basket. The Kentucky starters are back in.
Kentucky backups getting extended look
08:30 PM ET, October 23 2026
Mark Pope has had his backups in for quite some time, giving them some extended time. The lead is down to four, though, so the starters could return soon.
Kentucky maintains lead
08:26 PM ET, October 23 2026
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Both offenses have struggled to score so far in the second half. The Wildcats continue to hold an eight point lead.
Malachi Moreno alley-oop
08:19 PM ET, October 23 2026
Kentucky gets a highlight dunk out of the timeout Justin McBride finds Moreno on the alley-oop and the dunk.
Highlight: Kentucky fast break leads to three
08:17 PM ET, October 23 2026
Ousmane N'Diaye blocked shot leads to points
08:15 PM ET, October 23 2026
N'Diaye gets a huge blocked shot that leads to a fast break. Milan Momcilovic finds freshman Mason Williams who hits a three pointer.
Malachi Moreno scores inside
08:11 PM ET, October 23 2026
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Milan Momcilovic finds Moreno inside and makes a nice pass. Moreno converts, and it's 44-35 Wildcats.
Zoom Diallo opens the second half
08:07 PM ET, October 23 2026
Diallo grabs an offensive rebound in the paint. He puts it back in and gives Kentucky the first points of the second half.
The second half is about to start with Kentucky leading
08:02 PM ET, October 23 2026
Alex Wilkins closes the half out
07:50 PM ET, October 23 2026
With the clock running out in the first half, Wilkins pulled up for a baseline jumper. It falls, and the Wildcats lead 37-33 at the half.
Highlight: Milan Momcilovic gives Kentucky the lead
07:47 PM ET, October 23 2026
Texas Tech breaks up the Kentucky run
07:45 PM ET, October 23 2026
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The Red Raiders finally get an open look, and hit a big three-pointer. Mason Williams answers with an easy layup, and Texas Tech calls a timeout. The Wildcats lead 35-28.
Highlight: Wilkins to Moreno
07:39 PM ET, October 23 2026
Milan Momcilovic gives Kentucky the lead
07:37 PM ET, October 23 2026
Momcilovic gets his first points of the game, hitting an open three. It gives the Wildcats a 26-23 lead, and the crowd is into it. Texas Tech calls a timeout.
Alex Wilkins finds Malachi Moreno
07:36 PM ET, October 23 2026
The Wildats defense forced a turnover. Then Wilkins found Moreno wide open under the basket for a big-time dunk to tie the game at 23.
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Ousmane N'Diaye three point play
07:34 PM ET, October 23 2026
Kentucky starts another fast break and N'Diaye got behind the Texas Tech players. He dunked the ball and was fouled, then completed the three-point play.
Alex Wilkins steal and assist
07:32 PM ET, October 23 2026
Willkins jumps into the passing lane and starts the fast break. He finds McBride for the layup to cut into the lead.
Three pointers still not going for Kentucky
07:28 PM ET, October 23 2026
The Cats are now 0-for-8 from behind the arc in the game. Kentucky trails 23-16, and the offense still looks lethargic and directionless.
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Kentucky offense struggling
07:22 PM ET, October 23 2026
The Wildcats are once again turning the ball over too much. They have five halfway through the first half, and the Kentucky offense just looks difficult.
Zoom Diallo finds Malachi Moreno
07:19 PM ET, October 23 2026
Threes not falling for Kentucky yet
07:16 PM ET, October 23 2026
The Wildcats struggled with their shooting last week, and haven't gotten into a groove yet either. They haven't made a three-pointer yet, and trail 18-14.
Mason Williams gets a bucket
07:14 PM ET, October 23 2026
Williams checks into the game and immediately gets involved. On a Kentucky fast break, he slips past his man and hit the layup.
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Texas Tech makes a run
07:07 PM ET, October 23 2026
The Wildcats turned the ball over 19 times in their first game. They have a couple early on tonight, leading to a 5-0 run for the Red Raiders. They lead 9-5.
Malachi Moreno playing defense
07:05 PM ET, October 23 2026
Texas Tech drove inside, but Moreno was there to alter the shot and create a turnover. It's tied at 4 apiece.
Zoom Diallo opens things up
07:02 PM ET, October 23 2026
Diallo cut to the middle and Malachi Moreno found him for a dunk to open up the scoring in this one. Kentucky scores first.
It's Kentucky game time
07:01 PM ET, October 23 2026
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It's a battle between two top 25 teams tonight. The Wildcats will try to get more experience with each other, and get the offense going.
Kentucky vs Texas Tech injury report
09:01 AM ET, October 23 2026
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Kentucky: OUT - Guard Kam Williams, Forward Trent Noah, Guard Jerone Morton
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Texas Tech: OUT - Forward J.T. Toppin
How to watch Kentucky vs Texas Tech: TV channel, streaming info
08:01 AM ET, October 23 2026
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Kentucky vs Texas Tech is not on regular television and will be streamed on SEC Network+ .
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Friday, Oct. 23
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7:00 P.M. ET
This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Kentucky beats Texas Tech: Exhibition results and recap
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