Number four Kentucky’s first big challenge of the year ended in a double overtime loss to Michigan State, 86-77, at Gainbridge Arena in Indianapolis on Tuesday night.
The Wildcats are now 1-5 in last six Champions Classic games.
National Player of the Year Oscar Tshiebwe played in his first game back from an injury and finished with 22 points, 18 rebounds and four blocks as the Wildcats dropped to 2-1.
Sahvir Wheeler followed with 16 points while Cason Wallace added 14 points and eight steals.
Kentucky will return to Rupp arena on Thursday night to host South Carolina State. Tipoff is set for 7 pm.
At Indianapolis
(Champions Classix)
SCORE BY HALVES:
UK (2-1),,,.34 28 (9) ( 6) – 77
MS (2-1)…36 26 (9) (15) – 86
Scoring:
Kentucky (77) – Jacob Toppin 2(1) 3-4 10; Chris Livingston 0 1-2 1; Lance Ware 1 0-0 2; CJ Fredrick 1(1) 0-0 5; Cason Wallace 3(2) 2-4 14; Sahvir Wheeler 4(2) 2-4 16; Daimion Collins 0 2-4 2; Antonio Reeves 0(1) 2-2 5; and Oscar Tshiebwe 9 4-4 22. Totals: 20(7) 16-24 77.
Michigan State (86) – Joey Houser 4(4) 3-4 23; Malik Hall 6(1) 5-5 20; Mady Sissoko 5 6-8 16; Tyson Walker 2(2) 4-4 14; A.J. Hoggard 1 2-2 4; Pierre Brooks 1 0-0 2; and Jaden Akins 2 3-4 7. Totals: 21(7) 23-27 86.
Next up: Kentucky (2-1) vs. South Carolina State (0-3), 7 pm, Nov. 17.