Kentucky overcame a slow start to pull away in the second half and beat New Mexico State, 86-46, in the season opener played at Rupp Arena on Monday night.
The Wildcats improved to 15-0 in home openers under Coach John Calipari.
UK landed five players in double-figure scoring, led by Rob Dillingham with 17 points. D.J. Wagner tallied 13 while Justin Edwards and Reed Sheppard followed with 12 each.
Antonio Reeves finished with 11 points. Tre Mitchell added nine points and nine rebounds.
Kentucky finished the game on a 17-0 run and held the Aggies scoreless over the final six minutes.
The Wildcats will return to action against Texas A&M-Commerce (0-1) on Friday. Tipoff is set for 7 pm.
At Lexington
SCORE BY HALVES:
NMS (0-1)….27 19 – 46
UK (1-0)……36 50 – 86
Scoring:
New Mexico State (46) – Kaosi Ezeagu 2 0-0 4; Clarence Jackson 3 0-0 6; Jaylin Jackson-Posey 2(2) 0-0 10; Christian Cook 1(2) 2-2 10; Jaden Harris 1 0-0 2; Jordan Rawls 0(1) 0-0 3; Jonathan Kanyanga 1 0-0 2; and Robert Carpenter 3 3-3 9. Totals: 13(5) 5-5 46.
Kentucky (86) – Tre Mitchell 3 3-4 9; Justin Edwards 3(2) 0-0 12; Adou Thiero 1 3-5 5; Antonio Reeves 2(2) 1-2 11; D.J. Wagner 5(1) 0-1 13; Rob Dillingham 4(2) 3-3 17; Reed Sheppard 3(1) 3-3 12; and Jordan Burks 2(1) 0-1 7. Totals: 23(9) 13-19 85.
Next up: Kentucky (1-0) vs. Texas A&M-Commerce (0-1), 7 pm, Nov. 10.