AP

No. 12 Kentucky needs OT to give Calipari his 800th win

Jan 25, 2022, 7:01 AM | Updated: 10:27 pm

Kentucky guard Sahvir Wheeler (2) passes the ball off while being guarded by Mississippi State guar...

Kentucky guard Sahvir Wheeler (2) passes the ball off while being guarded by Mississippi State guard Iverson Molinar, behind Wheeler, and forward Garrison Brooks, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Lexington, Ky., Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)

(AP Photo/Michael Clubb)


              Kentucky guard Kellan Grady (31) celebrates making three pointer during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Mississippi State in Lexington, Ky., Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
            
              Mississippi State forward Garrison Brooks (10) chases after a loose ball while guard Shakeel Moore (3) and Kentucky guard Kellan Grady (31) fall to the ground during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Lexington, Ky., Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
            
              Kentucky guard Kellan Grady (31) shoots the ball over Mississippi State forward Garrison Brooks (10) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Lexington, Ky., Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
            
              Mississippi State head coach Ben Howland scratches his head at an official's call during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
            
              Kentucky forward Jacob Toppin, right, lays on the ground while being checked on my the team doctor and head coach John Caliper, left, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Mississippi State in Lexington, Ky., Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. Toppin limped off of the court and into the locker room afterwards. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
            
              Kentucky guard Dontaie Allen (11) makes a put back dunk during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Mississippi State in Lexington, Ky., Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
            
              Kentucky forward Oscar Tshiebwe (34) and Mississippi State guard Iverson Molinar (1) fight for possession of the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Lexington, Ky., Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
            
              Kentucky head coach John Calipari, left, makes a substitution during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Mississippi State in Lexington, Ky., Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
            
              Kentucky guard Sahvir Wheeler (2) passes the ball off while being guarded by Mississippi State guard Iverson Molinar, behind Wheeler, and forward Garrison Brooks, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Lexington, Ky., Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — To John Calipari, his latest milestone only means he’s been coaching a long time.

Fittingly, No. 12 Kentucky and the Hall of Fame coach needed an five extra minutes to reach 800 career on-court victories.

Kellan Grady scored eight points in overtime, including consecutive 3-pointers about a minute apart, and Sahvir Wheeler added two free throws to lift the Wildcats over Mississippi State 82-74 on Tuesday night.

“I have to publicly thank all my players, going back to UMass and Memphis and here,” Calipari said of winning that many games.

Grady finished with 18 points and Oscar Tshiebwe added 21 points with 22 rebounds for Kentucky (16-4, 6-2 Southeastern Conference). After missing a 3-pointer at the end of regulation, Grady regrouped in the extra session to drive the baseline for a layup before adding 3s with 2:23 and 1:13 remaining for an 80-74 lead.

“Sometimes it is crucial to see the ball go in once or twice,” said Grady, who made 7 of 16 overall and 4 of 11 from long range. “I put my head down and drove and made the reverse layup, and then hit the next two 3s after that.”

Calipari praised Grady’s persistence, adding, “He missed four wide open shots, I told him to keep shooting the ball and we designed a play for him. He’s shown he can miss some shots and come back.”

Wheeler twice made the first of two free throws to extend the lead on the Bulldogs, whose only basket in overtime came from Iverson Molinar, a layup with 2:43 left.

The Wildcats led 53-38 with 12:25 left before the Bulldogs (13-6, 4-3) rallied by holding Kentucky scoreless over four minutes. Molinar scored 22 of his career-high 30 points in the second half to lead Mississippi State.

The Bulldogs were coming off a 78-60 rout of rival Mississippi on Saturday. They shot 62% in the second half to erase the deficit but made just 1 of 7 in overtime (14%) and missed a chance for their first victory in Rupp Arena since 2009.

“Really, really hard-fought game,” Bulldogs coach Ben Howland said. “I like the way we fought back.”

Wheeler had 15 points and six assists and Keion Brooks Jr. added 12 points and six rebounds for Kentucky, which played without guard TyTy Washington Jr. (left ankle).

“I wish we hadn’t blown that lead, but I think it was good for us to show we can win a game like this,” Grady said. “It shows we have some resilience.”

CALIPARI’S COMPANY

Calipari remains just outside of the top 10 in career wins for Division I men’s basketball, needing six to tie Eddie Sutton, who spent most of his career at Oklahoma State, but also had a four-season stint at Kentucky, among other schools.

Calipari amassed his 800 wins in the fourth-fewest games coached (1,037). Only Adolph Rupp (972), Roy Williams (1,012) and Dean Smith (1,029) achieved the feat faster.

BIG PICTURE

Mississippi State: Leading rebounder Tolu Smith was out with a knee injury and the Bulldogs had no answer for Tshiebwe inside. Kentucky won the rebounding battle 44-33.

Kentucky: With Washington out, the Wildcats needed a lift from their reserves. Dontaie Allen continued to shine against the Bulldogs, scored on dunk putback and a 3-pointer with 1:29 left in the first half. Bryce Hopkins and Lance Ware also added needed baskets as the Wildcats were edged 15-12 in bench points.

UP NEXT

Mississippi State: Hosts No. 13 Texas Tech in the Big 12/SEC Challenge on Saturday.

Kentucky: At No. 5 Kansas on Saturday in the Big 12/SEC Challenge.

___

More AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/College-basketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

AP

Associated Press

Ex-Packer Guion gets 1 year for domestic violence assault

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Former Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Letroy Guion was sentenced to one year in jail after pleading no contest in a domestic violence assault at his home last fall. Brown County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Walsh also ordered Guion on Tuesday to serve three years’ probation and complete a domestic […]

1 year ago

Joe Jarzynka...

Associated Press

Durant eager for Suns debut vs. Hornets after knee injury

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kevin Durant has been through quite a bit during his 15-year NBA career — but joining a new team midway through the season is a new one for the 13-time All-Star. The 34-year-old Durant doesn’t seem all that worried. Durant makes his highly anticipated Phoenix Suns debut on Wednesday night against […]

1 year ago

FILE - Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores stands on the sideline during the second half of an N...

Associated Press

Judge: NFL coach can press discrimination claims in court

NEW YORK (AP) — NFL Coach Brian Flores can pursue some of his discrimination claims against the league and its teams in court rather than through arbitration, a judge ruled Wednesday. The written decision by Judge Valerie Caproni in Manhattan was issued months after lawyers for the league tried to get the lawsuit moved to […]

1 year ago

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Alex Stalock cools off in the first period during an NHL hockey game ...

Associated Press

Kane trade reinforces hard reality of Blackhawks rebuild

CHICAGO (AP) — After days of speculation, the harsh reality of the Chicago Blackhawks’ situation was reinforced by one move in a flurry of transactions ahead of the NHL trade deadline. Showtime is over, at least in Chicago, and a seemingly bright future is, well, way off in the distance. The reverberations of Chicago’s decision […]

1 year ago

FILE -  Yves Jean-Bart, president of the Haitian Football Federation, wearing a protective face mas...

Associated Press

Disgraced ex-Haitian soccer president announces he’s back

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s former soccer federation president whose lifetime ban from sport over sexual abuse allegations was overturned last month announced Wednesday that he is reclaiming his position. Yves Jean-Bart’s defiant announcement could lead to a standoff with FIFA, which already has appointed an emergency management committee to lead the Haitian Football Association […]

1 year ago

FILE - Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers walks off the field after an NFL football game against the ...

Associated Press

Rodgers says decision on future will come ‘soon enough’

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers says he will make a decision on his future “soon enough” as the four-time MVP quarterback ponders whether to play next season and if his future remains with the Green Bay Packers. Rodgers, 39, discussed his future while speaking on an episode of the “Aubrey Marcus Podcast” that […]

1 year ago

No. 12 Kentucky needs OT to give Calipari his 800th win