By DAVID BRANDT AP Sports Writer
Associated Press
OXFORD, Miss. —
(AP) — Kyle Wiltjer scored a career-high 26 points and Nerlens Noel set a school record with 12 blocked shots as Kentucky beat No. 16 Mississippi 87-74 on Tuesday night.
Kentucky (14-6, 5-2 Southeastern Conference) looked like it might run away with the win, taking a 73-56 lead with 10 minutes remaining. But the Rebels roared back with 16 straight points, cutting the deficit to 73-72 with 4:22 left.
Ryan Harrow nailed a 3-pointer to stop Ole Miss’ run and Kentucky was able to hold on and win for the fifth time in seven games. Archie Goodwin scored 24 points and Alex Poythress added 15.
Ole Miss (17-3, 6-1) had its nine-game winning streak snapped. LaDarius White led the Rebels with 22 points while Marshall Henderson added 21.
Also, the Mississippi State men's basketball team is trying to get back on the right track.
The Bulldogs started the Southeastern Conference season 2-0. Since then, they have dropped four contests in the league and now sit at 2-4 and tied for 7th in the league.
The Bulldogs (7-11, 2-4) are coming off two 25-point plus losses. They lost 96-70 to Arkansas on the road and dropped an 82-47 decision to No. 7 (Associated Press) Florida at home.
The Bulldogs aren't heading in the right direction, but new head coach Rick Ray believes the next two games will decide the Bulldogs' fate.
MSU host Texas A&M (12-7, 2-4) Wednesday and LSU (10-7, 1-5) Saturday.
