Kentucky basketball vs Kansas: Live updates, scores & highlights from Big 12/SEC Challenge - Courier Journal

The Kentucky men's basketball team (16-4, 6-2) toughed out a win in overtime against Mississippi State, and has an even tougher match Saturday against Kansas.

The Wildcats face the Jayhawks as part of the Big 12/SEC Challenge at 6 p.m. on ESPN. Kansas, ranked No. 5 in the most recent USA TODAY Coaches Poll, is 17-2 on the season. No. 13 Kentucky is 16-4. The Wildcats now lead the wins race 2,343 to 2,340.

At Auburn last Saturday, TyTy Washington suffered an ankle injury with 8:20 left in the first half and did not return. Washington was on the sideline during UK's game against Mississippi State wearing a boot on his injured foot and is a game-time decision against Kansas.

The Wildcats showed grit on the road as the Bulldogs nearly stole the game on Tuesday. Head coach John Calipari said being in that scenario in that environment was exactly what his squad needed to evolve.

"I told the guys, we needed to be in a game like this where we he had a chance to end it," said Kentucky coach John Calipari, who recorded his 800th career victory with the win. "…We needed to be: Now we've got to fight to get back in it."

History: Where things stand in race between Kentucky and Kansas basketball in all-time wins race

Final Score: Kentucky defeats Kansas, 80-62

The No. 12 Kentucky Wildcats closed out the night with a huge road win over the No. 2 Kansas Jayhawks, 80-62.  

Kentucky Junior forward Keion Brooks Jr. played out of his mind for the Wildcats in the second half, posting the best scoring game of his career. Brooks Jr. finished with 27-points and eight rebounds. Junior forward Oscar Tshiebwe also got in on the action, ending the game with another double-double, 17-points and 14 rebounds.

Kansas tried to breathe life in the second half but couldn't overcome the deficit. Coming hot off 37-point game against Texas Tech, senior Ochai Agbaji closed Saturday's game shooting 28-percent from the field for 13-points, two rebounds and three assists. Junior guard Christian Braun finished the night with 13-points, five rebounds and three assists.

2:05, 2nd H: Main question on UK fans minds: Will Shaedon Sharpe play for UK in 2022?

UK fans know what they want, but when will Shaedon Sharpe healthy? Kentucky 80, Kansas 59

ESPN: Kentucky basketball freshman Shaedon Sharpe eligible for 2022 NBA draft

5:39, 2nd H: Kentucky is pulling away, KU fans upset

Kansas trying to piece things together as Kentucky pulls away with about five minutes left on the clock. Jacob Toppin has 11 points. Kentucky 73, Kansas 52

7:11, 2nd H: Brooks continues to dominate for UK

Kentucky forward Keion Brooks Jr. has a career-high 25 points and eight rebounds. Kentucky 68, Kansas 52

13:12, 2nd H: Kansas on 7-0 run, fans making Allen Fieldhouse shake

Kentucky 62, Kansas 48

15:46, 2nd H: Tshiebwe a force on defense, Keion Brooks running KU

Kentucky junior center Oscar Tshiebwe nabs five rebounds, Keion Brooks Jr. adds two free throws, giving him 19 points on the day. Kentucky 60, Kansas 38

Halftime: #12 Kentucky is leading #5 Kansas, 51-31, at the half

Kentucky went into the locker room leading Kansas, 51-31. This is the first time Kansas has allowed 50+ points in the first half since 2007.

Kentucky center Oscar Tshiebwe showed a strong first half performance, shooting 71-percent from the field for 11-points and grabbing five rebounds. 

An excited coach John Calipari spoke to reporters before heading into the locker room. When asked how his team was playing so good on the road, he replied, "have you been watching our games? Every game is like this," said the Kentucky head coach. Either you can surrender or really thrive in this."

When asked how the defense was containing Ochai Agbaji (three points) the Wildcats coach warned of time left in the game, "we're on him, but let me tell you, they can do the same thing to us that we did to them, in the second half."

4:10, 1st H: Kansas' Dajuan Harris scores on UK, timeout called

Kansas sophomore guard Dajuan Harris Jr. gets the slam on the Wildcats defense. Kentucky 41, Kansas 28

6:24, 1st H: Things are getting chippy in SEC, Big 12 Challenge

Kentucky center Jacob Toppin throws down a mean dunk. Wheeler locks in another assist. Kentucky 39, Kansas 24

7:12, 1st H: Kellan Grady nails a three, Self calls timeout

Kentucky senior guard Kellan Grady hits the 3-pointer, TyTy Washington Jr. with the assist. Kentucky 35, Kansas 20

10:29, 1st H: Kentucky frustrates Kansas, Bill Self calls TO after Keion Brooks score

Kentucky junior forward Keion Brooks Jr. has 4-points and 3-rebounds. Kentucky 25, Kansas 13

11:54, 1st H: UK up early, Ochai Agbaji scoreless

Kentucky junior guard Sahvir Wheeler has 4-points, shooting 2-for-3 from the field. Kentucky 21, Kansas 13

15:50, 1st H: UK fans presence felt at Allen Fieldhouse

Kentucky 12, Kansas 8

17:33, 1st H: Keion Brooks Jr. leaves court

Kentucky 8, Kansas 5

UK vs. Kansas Pregame, Injury update

How to watch UK vs. Kansas

LEXINGTON - No. 13 Kentucky basketball (16-4, 6-2) will travel to No. 5 Kansas (17-2, 6-1) for its final nonconference game of the regular season in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge. Here is what you need to know to watch the game.

UK injury update and more: Can Kentucky basketball beat Kansas if ankle injury keeps TyTy Washington out again?

Will TyTy Washington play?

Kentucky basketball players and coaches continue to be amazed at the efficiency with which star freshman guard TyTy Washington has operated this season.

But with Washington's status for Saturday's game at No. 5 Kansas uncertain due to an ankle injury, there is no doubting the importance of the player coach John Calipari has dubbed UK's "silent assassin."

"He just repeatedly makes the right play, the easy play," super senior guard Kellan Grady said. "It almost just goes unnoticed and you don't necessarily recognize the impact he's having on the game."

Two of Kentucky's four losses this season included long stretches with Washington unavailable.

Read more from Jon Hale here

All-time wins race

Almost three months into the college basketball season, and Kentucky has held serve in the quest to maintain its lead in all time wins.

After UK's season-opening loss to Duke and Kansas's season-opening win over Michigan State in the Champions Classic, the Jayhawks moved within three wins of Kentucky for the wins lead. That is still the margin leading into a head-to-head matchup between the two blue blood programs in Lawrence, Kansas Saturday.

Kansas, ranked No. 5 in the most recent USA TODAY Coaches Poll, is 17-2 on the season. No. 13 Kentucky is 16-4. The Wildcats now lead the wins race 2,343 to 2,340.

Read more from Jon Hale

Kentucky basketball vs Kansas: Live updates, scores & highlights from Big 12/SEC Challenge - Courier Journal

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