Kentucky guard Keldon Johnson (3) reacts after being called for a foul during the second half of an NCAA basketball game against Mississippi State in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. Kentucky won 71-67. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Mississippi State Advances into Quarterfinals of SEC Tournament

The No. 8 Kentucky Wildcats were knocked out after game one in the SEC Tournament.

In today’s matchup against No. 7 Mississippi State sent the Wildcats home with a 74-73 win.

https://twitter.com/HailStateMBK/status/1370087414157479941

Kentucky

Kentucky started the game behind, finishing the first half Mississippi by 14. In the second half, Kentucky battled back. Putting 13 more points on the board, the Wildcats made a strong effort, but still fell short.

The Wildcats’ top scorer Dontaie Allen put up 23 points alone for the game, tying his record for the season. This season, he only reached this benchmark one other time: against Mississippi State in regular season.

Behind Allen, Davion Mintz ended the game with 16, Olivier Sarr with 14 and Keion Brooks Jr. with 10.

Mississippi State

For Mississippi State, Iverson Molinar led the way with 21 points. Tolu Smith followed with 13 points, then Abdul Ado with 12.

In their original match up with the Wildcats Jan. 2, Monlinar had 17 points. The other top scorers during the game consisted of D.J. Stewart Jr. with 19 and Jalen Johnson with 14.

January 2

In January, Mississippi State and Kentucky faced off in a regular season game. The Wildcats brought the Bulldogs down in double overtime, 78-73.

What’s Next?

Mississippi State moves on to the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament. The Bulldogs will be facing No. 1 Alabama tomorrow at noon.

The University of Florida also plays tomorrow against No. 4 Tennessee. On Sunday, the Gators fell to the Volunteers in a regular-season match-up, 65-54.

The winner of the GeorgiaMissouri game will face No. 2 Arkansas, and the winner of the South CarolinaOle Miss game will compete with No. 3 LSU.

https://twitter.com/SEC/status/1370025862779781120

Alabama

No. 1 Alabama had today off after defeating Georgia on Saturday. 16-2 in the SEC, Alabama is on a 3-game win streak.

In program history, Alabama has taken home six SEC Tournament championships. The most recent being in 1991.

About Rylee McIver

Rylee is a fourth year journalism major with a specialization in sports and media at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications.

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