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Kentucky men's basketball won its exhibition opener. What worked — and what didn't?

LEXINGTON, Ky. — It wasn't pretty at times. But it got the job done.

The Kentucky men's basketball team's preseason exhibition game Sunday night against Missouri Western dragged on at certain points, as both teams struggled to find much in the way of offensive rhythm. Both teams attempted 52 shots; the Wildcats were slightly better, making 21 compared to the Griffons' 16.

That was enough for UK to earn a 56-38 victory at Rupp Arena.

Given what happened earlier in the day to in-state rival Louisville — Lenoir-Rhyne, a Division II school that went 10-18 last season and was without its top two scorers Sunday, stunned the Cardinals 57-47 — wins never can be taken for granted.