Highlights, MVP, and Twitter reactions to Kentucky’s gutsy win in Starkville

Posted by Admin January 12, 2025 Basketball

The Kentucky Wildcats had a tall task in front of them on Saturday night in Starkville. The #14 Mississippi State Bulldogs entered the game with a 14-1 record and a charged-up home crowd on their side.

It was unclear how the Cats would react after their unexpected loss to the Georgia Bulldogs earlier in the week.

The first half was a back-and-forth contest, with both teams going on mini-runs without being able to separate.

The storyline for Kentucky was Jaxson Robinson exploding for 16 first-half points, which included four made 3s on just five attempts. His heroics were the main reason Kentucky took a hard-earned 49-44 lead into the locker room.

It was a welcomed site for the Big Blue Nation to see Robinson catching fire in a hostile environment. Without his contributions, it would have been a completely different contest.

The Cats, as a team, shot 8/17 from behind the arc.

The four-minute stretch to begin the second half featured a special run by Kentucky. Robinson drained a barrage of triples, cementing this as his best performance as a Wildcat. Within the blink of an eye, Robinson was up to 22 points, and UK’s lead extended to double-digits.

There was a moment when it looked as if Kentucky could run away with it, but the Bulldogs rallied behind their home crowd to stay in the game.

A wacky sequence that included an and-1 banked-in 3 resulted in a six-point possession, giving MSU an 80-78 lead with eight minutes to play.

Mark Pope’s team did not back down and looked to its reserves for the answer. Ansley Almonor would make three deep shots in a short period of time, each bigger than the one before. Those clutch makes would give Kentucky just enough to get them across the finish line in what was an impressive road victory.

The 95-90 win produced some enjoyable basketball and adds what was already an impressive resume.

Highlights

Box Score

Game MVP

The easiest task in history was choosing tonight’s MVP.

I think all Kentucky fans would agree that it was truly refreshing watching Jaxon Robinson catching fire to the degree he did inside the Hump. Most of the deep makes weren’t even touching the rim.

Obviously, the BYU transfer has had an underwhelming season to this point and struggled in some of the big moments.

Robinson put that noise to bed tonight, reminding everyone just what a lethal scorer he can be.

He’d finish the game with 27 points and seven made threes.

Honorable mention to Ansley Almonor who scored 11 points and made three of the biggest shots of the game.

Kentucky vs. Mississippi State Twitter Reactions

Travis Perry will be such a solid piece by his sophomore year. He takes care of the ball, is always on 50/50 balls and can’t be left open. If he can step up his defense, look out.

— Grant Grubbs (@grant_grubbs_) January 12, 2025

The Hump is insane right now, has been all game. MSU fans looking for any excuse to cave the roof in. Kentucky battling in a tough, tough environment.

— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) January 12, 2025

Such a great thing to see Robinson and playing so well tonight. Hope he can build on this. He’s feeling it.

— WhoDatCatsFan⚜️ (@WhoDatCatsFan) January 12, 2025

Jax is feeling it! His demeanor is on another level right now. #BBN

— @BleavInKentucky (@BleavInKentucky) January 12, 2025

Kentucky with 10 or more made 3s for the 10th time in 16 games this season.

— TheCatsPause247 (@TheCatsPause247) January 12, 2025

This is how you lose on the road.

Every time Kentucky has failed to get a defensive rebound something VERY bad has happened.

Six point possession. Matthews has made 2x as many 3’s tonight as he has all season.

— Brandon Ramsey (@BRamseyKSR) January 12, 2025

A 6 point swing on an absolutely awful call. Williams was hacked and they called it out of bounds on UK.

— Josh (@UKfan_23) January 12, 2025

After a no call when Williams was hacked. Never should’ve had the ball to begin with. I’ve counted a 16-point scoreboard swing because of refs + 6 free throw attempts UK didn’t get on no calls.

— Second Take (@SecondTake20) January 12, 2025

You can say what you want about basketball but at the end of the day, it’s a make or miss game and Kentucky is making a ton of shots in this one. High level game here. Reminds me of the Florida game. SEC is a monster this season.

— Steve Quattrocchi (@RealCoachQ) January 12, 2025

KENTUCKY.
DOES.
NOT.
LOSE.
TO.
MISSISSIPPI STATE.

— TheCatsPause247 (@TheCatsPause247) January 12, 2025

I’m so glad we have Lamont Butler at point, he’s running a team that averages over 90 points a game. That’s leadership getting his guys in the right sets to get the best shots available. I love this team!

— Sean (@KentuckyKroge) January 12, 2025

WHAT A BOUNCE BACK VICTORY!!!!!

Mark Pope’s 200th career win comes in a hostile Humphrey Coliseum!

— Cameron Waddle (@CameronWaddle) January 12, 2025

Kentucky snapped Florida’s 13-game win streak and now they snap Mississippi State’s 8-game win streak.

— Chris Fisher (@ChrisFisher247) January 12, 2025

Kentucky 95, Mississippi State 90 was one of the better games I’ve seen this season. The Wildcats dropping 95 points on the Bulldogs, on the road, to a team allowing 66 and change per game is a ridiculous scouting + execution win for Mark Pope and his team.

— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) January 12, 2025

A tough fought win for Kentucky and a true team effort.

– Jaxson Robinson had his best game in a Kentucky uniform (27 pts, 7 3P)
– Ansley Almonor hit 3 3Ps after Kentucky trailed under 8 mins
– Lamont Butler ties a season-high in assists (8)
– Amari Williams double-double (10… pic.twitter.com/FkHIuGzBOc

— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) January 12, 2025

Kentucky once again had 6 players in double figures…

They also completed that feat against Florida.

When this team shares the ball. They win.

— Dylan Ballard (@DylanBallard_UK) January 12, 2025

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