In one of the most anticipated basketball games of the season, Mississippi State welcomed John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats to the Hump for a raucous night of Southeastern Conference Basketball. A total sell-out of the Hump, Mississippi State had the home-court advantage for the rock fight with the Wildcats.

Mississippi State raced to an early 12-3 lead over the Wildcats at the under-16 media timeout in the first half. As the half progressed, Kentucky and Mississippi State exchanged blows as if we were watching a heavy-weight prize fight. Low scoring was the theme of the first half, as Mississippi State kept a low-scoring, single-digit five-point lead over the Wildcats at the under-8 media timeout.

Mississippi State would put together a nice run to end the first half with a 43-35 lead over Kentucky. As expected, Josh Hubbard and Tolu Smith led the way for the Bulldogs in scoring in the first half. Hubbard finished the half with 12 points, while Tolu Smith finished with 11.

As the second half approached, the HUMP was bumping, as Mississippi State fans could feel the impending outcome of beating Kentucky if they continued to feed the floor.

Two minutes into the second half, Mississippi State jumped to a 52-39 lead over Kentucky to force John Calipari and the Wildcats to call a timeout. Out of the timeout, Kentucky made two free throws to cut the lead down to 52-41 in favor of Mississippi State with 17:20 to play. Kentucky nipped into the lead at the under-16 media timeout of the second half, but the Bulldogs held on to a 52-45 lead with 15:23 to play. At the under-12 media timeout, Mississippi State held on for dear life to a 58-52 lead over Kentucky, setting the scene for a final 11:31 of Southeastern Conference Basketball. Shortly after, Kentucky went on a 6-0 run to cut the Mississippi State lead to 60-58 with 10:35 to play in the game. After an impressive basketball volley, Kentucky and Mississippi State reached the under-8 media timeout, with the Bulldogs clinging to a 71-67 lead with 4:51 to play. With 4:02 on the clock, Kentucky took the lead 72-71 over Mississippi State. A dunk from Bradshaw followed them to make it 74-71 Wildcats at the game’s final media timeout. With 50.2 remaining, Kentucky’s script flipped as the Wildcats held on to an 83-78 lead over Mississippi State. In the end, it was Reed Sheppard, Mr. Kentucky, hitting the game-winning jump shot for Kentucky.

Ultimately, the athleticism from Kentucky was too much for Mississippi State on Tuesday as the Wildcats walked away victorious 91-89.

Mississippi State will return to action on Saturday as they travel to the Plains to take on Auburn.

Kentucky will return home to Rupp Arena as they prepare to host Arkansas.