LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky men’s basketball team wrapped up exhibition play cruising past defending Division II national champion Minnesota State Mankato 98-67.

The team was led in scoring by standout guard Jaxson Robinson, who had 24 points off 8 of 12 shooting from three-point range. Robinson came out of the gate a little cold, missing two of his first three shots from beyond the arc. He didn’t miss any after that. 

Three other Cats scored in double figures: Otega Oweh had 15 points, Andrew Car had 14 and Brandon Garrison added 12.

“A good night for us, really good night,” Kentucky coach Mark Pope said. “It was good for us to have that experience. There were some numbers in the game that we’re really excited about. It’s another chance to grow. Proud of our guys.”

The game was a little back and forth early on. UK had a 14-5 lead before Minnesota State went on a 12-4 run to cut the deficit to one, 18-17. The Cats answered with their own 22-3 run, including 10 straight, to lead 32-20. The run was sparked by threes from Trent Noah, Lamont Butler and three triples from Robinson. Kentucky closed the half on a 25-6 run to lead 42-32 at the break. Robinson led all scorers with 15 points in the first half.

The Cats on the whole started cold from three-point range. They were 2 of 15 to start the half but caught fire late. Pope said he liked how the Cats adjusted and got better three-point shots as the game went on.

“We did a much better job as the game went on about earning shots for each other. There’s a huge difference, and it might be an imperceptible difference, when you just isolate shots. How you earn those shots matters. The karma of this game matters, it’s wildly important. I thought we did a much better job as the game went on. It’s a huge part of what we do,” Pope said.

The Cats opened the second half with a 10-2 run to build a 53-26 and they never looked back from there. The boys in blue led by as many as 40 before settling in for a 31-point win.

Kentucky opens regular season play on Monday, Nov. 4, hosting Wright State at Rupp Arena. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. and the game is televised on ESPNU.