Rating:

5.0 (1 vote)

UK gets off to a terrible start thanks in part to Mississippi State and thanks in part to some bad decisions by UK.

With 6:48 gone in the game, UK hit only 2 of their first 13 shots while the Bulldogs hit 5 of 11. UK had only four points and were quickly behind 14--4.

After having some trouble inside, UK was settling for a lot of outside shots that weren't falling.

Meanwhile, Dee Bost was on fire. Not just with his game high 16 points at the half, but he had 6 assists and 3 steals.

"Somebody has to guard him," Cal told ESPN.

For the half, UK hit 12 of 30 for 40%.

Mississippi State was 14 of 29 for 48%. That includes 6 of 12 from downtown.

Marquis Teague, who got a technical, leads UK with 8.

Mississippi State leads 41-28 at the half.

In the locker room Cal told his team, "we are down six baskets, what are we made of?"

Late in the first half, Cal put Michael Kidd-Gilchrist on Dee Bost and it slowed him down. Cal started it the same way in the second half, and it kept on working, That and UK was playing much better team defense and did a better job of rebounding.

Down 60-53 after a long Bost three, UK comes back strong.

Mississippi State was up by 7 with 6:17 to play. Two years ago, MSU was up by 7 with 3:00 left and lost.

Miller makes three free throws after being fouled on his three. It's 60-56.

After Miller makes a steal, Kidd-Gilchrist finishes the play with a drive. UK is down 60-58.

Miller from downtown. UK is down by one 62-61.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist decided that he was not going to be denied. He goes hard to the bucket and scores. UK goes up 63-62 with a little over four minutes left. It's their first lead.

The Bulldogs fold while Miller hits a three from downtown Corbin to make it 71-64 with 1:32 to go.

The Cats get a share of their 45th SEC Championship winning 73-64.

"Good win for us," says Cal. "Good road win."

"We got to get better."

5 Cats were in double figures.

Kidd-Gilchrist led UK with 18. Anthony Davis had 13. Miller had 12. Lamb and Terrence Jones had 11.

Dee Bost was held to 5 points in the second half and finishes with a game high 21.

After a horrible start shooting, UK hits 43%, while Mississippi State finishes with 41%.