LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Second-ranked Kentucky began its quest for a fifth Final Four berth in seven seasons with an 87-64 rout of Stephen F. Austin on Friday night at Rupp Arena.

Despite a new crop of highly touted freshmen on the roster, it was Kentucky's veterans who steered the Wildcats to victory during the season opener. Senior Derek Willis came out red hot, scoring 10 first-half points to power Kentucky to a 48-32 lead at intermission. He finished with 15 on 5-of-7 shooting

Sophomore Isaiah Briscoe added 17 points and sophomore Isaac Humphries had nine points and eight rebounds in 19 minutes.

Among the freshmen -- the No. 2-rated class in America, it was lesser known Wenyen Gabriel who was most productive early. He scored 10 points, all in the first half, by hitting all five field goals.

Freshman point guard De'Aaron Fox was steady throughout, recording 12 points and 12 assists. Back court running mate Malik Monk started slow with zero points in the first half but rallied to score 10.

Kentucky shot 50 percent from the field, but only 28 percent from 3-point range. The Wildcats made 20 of 30 free throws.

The game was also a coming out party for Stephen F. Austin. The Lumberjacks have been the toast of the mid-majors, having reached the NCAA Tournament three straight years while posting a 53-1 record in the Southland Conference.

But the departure of five seniors and coach Brad Underwood, who took the Oklahoma State job, puts them back at square one under new coach Kyle Keller.

Junior guard Isaiah Traylor scored 15 points while junior college signee Leon Gilmore added 12 points for Stephen F. Austin.

The Lumberjacks shot 44.2 percent from the field and outrebounded the Wildcats 37-27, but committed 28 turnovers.

Kentucky faces Canisius on Sunday night in the final tune up before a showdown with No. 12 Michigan State in the Champions Classic on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden in New York.