Kentucky Loses Winning Streak, but Pitino Doesn’t Seem to Mind

Mississippi State, parlaying a nothing-to-lose attitude with an excellent showing by Dontae Jones, ended No. 1 Kentucky’s searing run through the Southeastern Conference.

Jones had 28 points and 11 rebounds for No. 25 Mississippi State, which ended Kentucky’s 27-game winning streak with an 84-73 victory on Sunday in the championship of the SEC tournament.

The loss denied Kentucky (28-2) an SEC tournament title for the first time since 1991, but may have come at a good time for the Wildcats, who have won by an average margin of 24 points this season.

“As great as people make us out to be, we couldn’t have made a great run in the [NCAA] tournament unless we lost tonight because things have come too easy,” Kentucky Coach Rick Pitino said. “The loss will help us. It shows us we’re not invincible.”

The Wildcats, the first team since 1956 to go through the SEC regular season undefeated, are the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Midwest Regional in Dallas. They play San Jose State in the first round Thursday.

Only one other team had led Kentucky at halftime this season. But Mississippi State (22-7) held on after building a 43-38 lead. Consecutive three-point baskets by Jones pushed Mississippi State’s lead to 49-38.

The Bulldogs opened the second half with a 20-6 run, building their biggest lead when Darryl Wilson’s second three-point basket made it 63-44 with 13:41 left.

Jones, who scored 17 points in the first half, scored 10 in the opening second-half spurt. Jones was named tournament most valuable player after shooting 12 for 18 in the championship game and 28 for 41 (68%) in the tournament.

The closest Kentucky got after that was 72-62 on a Wayne Turner basket with 5:25 left.

Mississippi State earned the SEC’s automatic NCAA bid. The Bulldogs, the No. 5 seed in the Southeast Regional, play Virginia Commonwealth in the first round on Thursday. It is the first time in school history the Bulldogs are going to consecutive NCAA tournaments.

Kentucky had won four consecutive SEC tournament championships and all 14 previous tournament games under Pitino, including, 100-76, over Florida and, 95-75, over Arkansas this year.

Wilson added 22 points for Mississippi State, which shot 54% and overcame 21 turnovers.

Tony Delk had 16 points for Kentucky, which shot a season-low 33%.