The fifth-ranked Kentucky Wildcats knew they were in a for a fight on their home floor Tuesday night against the 19th-ranked LSU Tigers, but they were not fans of the way the game ended. Kavell Bigby-Williams tipped in the game-winner as time expired to give the Tigers a 73-71 win at Rupp Arena. The victory is the Tigers' first over Kentucky since 2009, as they continued to participate in close affairs. They have already played in three overtime games against SEC opponents, and their past three games have been decided by a combined five points. This was their seventh road win of the season, and 13th win in the past 14 games overall, but it did not come without some controversy.
Replay showed that Bigby-Williams possibly goaltended on the deciding play, but that was not reviewed and the call stood, much to the dismay of Kentucky head coach John Calipari. In the end, it is the Tigers' 20th win of the season, and 10th in conference play, and just their sixth win over the Wildcats in program history. LSU overcame a nine-point deficit by outscoring Kentucky, 41-31, after halftime, as they were led by Tremont Waters' 15 points. P.J. Washington had 20 points in the loss for the Wildcats, who will move on to a showdown with top-ranked Tennessee on Saturday. The Tigers will look to keep it going after this quality win when they visit the Georgia Bulldogs that same day.
Another team that was not at all happy on Tuesday was the sixth-ranked Michigan Wolverines, who even lost their head coach, John Beilein, at halftime to an ejection due to consecutive technical fouls. Beilein had to be held back by assistant coaches while arguing with officials, this was all due to a stunning 75-69 loss to the last-place Penn State Nittany Lions. Lamar Stevens finished with 26 points, including 15 in the first half, in what was the Nittanly Lions' ninth win of the season. It was just the third loss for the Wolverines, who trailed by 13 points at the break, as a 42-point second half was not enough was not enough to avoid the upset. Stevens finished with a double-double, including 12 rebounds, as Penn State held Michigan to just 27 first-half points.
The Nittany Lions ended the first half on an 18-9 run, helping them snap an eight-game losing streak against the Wolverines. Myles Dread added 17 points, including five three-pointers, and Penn State never trailed after 2:24 in to the first half. Charles Matthews had 24 points, while Jordan Poole chipped in with 17 points in the loss for Michigan. They will return home on Saturday for a ranked battle with 24th-ranked Maryland, who will be coming off a win over the 12th-ranked Purdue Boilermakers. The Nittany Lions will will visit those Boilersmakers that same day.
Replay showed that Bigby-Williams possibly goaltended on the deciding play, but that was not reviewed and the call stood, much to the dismay of Kentucky head coach John Calipari. In the end, it is the Tigers' 20th win of the season, and 10th in conference play, and just their sixth win over the Wildcats in program history. LSU overcame a nine-point deficit by outscoring Kentucky, 41-31, after halftime, as they were led by Tremont Waters' 15 points. P.J. Washington had 20 points in the loss for the Wildcats, who will move on to a showdown with top-ranked Tennessee on Saturday. The Tigers will look to keep it going after this quality win when they visit the Georgia Bulldogs that same day.
Another team that was not at all happy on Tuesday was the sixth-ranked Michigan Wolverines, who even lost their head coach, John Beilein, at halftime to an ejection due to consecutive technical fouls. Beilein had to be held back by assistant coaches while arguing with officials, this was all due to a stunning 75-69 loss to the last-place Penn State Nittany Lions. Lamar Stevens finished with 26 points, including 15 in the first half, in what was the Nittanly Lions' ninth win of the season. It was just the third loss for the Wolverines, who trailed by 13 points at the break, as a 42-point second half was not enough was not enough to avoid the upset. Stevens finished with a double-double, including 12 rebounds, as Penn State held Michigan to just 27 first-half points.
The Nittany Lions ended the first half on an 18-9 run, helping them snap an eight-game losing streak against the Wolverines. Myles Dread added 17 points, including five three-pointers, and Penn State never trailed after 2:24 in to the first half. Charles Matthews had 24 points, while Jordan Poole chipped in with 17 points in the loss for Michigan. They will return home on Saturday for a ranked battle with 24th-ranked Maryland, who will be coming off a win over the 12th-ranked Purdue Boilermakers. The Nittany Lions will will visit those Boilersmakers that same day.
