Kentucky jumped out to an early lead and appeared to be in control to open the game, but in what foreshadowed things to come, Sparty scratched and opened up a halftime lead. The two teams traded blows in a seesaw of momentum down the stretch before Michigan State — twice late — twice came up in the clutch to force overtime. In both cases, Malik Hall, who finished with 20 points and five rebounds, saved the day. Kentucky got 22 points and 18 rebounds from Oscar Chibue, the reigning player of the year who came off the bench in his season debut after missing the team’s first two games with an injury. But Tshiebwe was in foul trouble late and picked up his fifth foul in overtime. Michigan State got balanced contributions from everyone on the night with four players reaching double figures in points led by Joey Hauser, who had 23 points, and Malik Hall, who finished with 20 points. Maddy Sissoko had 18 points and eight boards and Tyson Walker had 14 points, nine of which came in the extra periods.
