The opening game of the Champions Classic on Tuesday night lived up to the hype and then some as Michigan State upset No. 4 Kentucky in a double-overtime thriller. The Spartans outlasted the Wildcats 86-77 despite trailing for more than 33 minutes of game action and twice needing game-saving buckets to force extra time.
Kentucky led early and looked to be in control to open the game, but in what was foreshadowing of things to come, Sparty scratched and clawed its way to the lead by halftime. The two teams traded blows in a see-sawing of momentum down the stretch before Michigan State – twice trailing late – twice came up clutch to force extra time. In both instances, it was Malik Hall, who finished with 20 points and five rebounds, who saved the day.
Kentucky got a team-high 22 points and 18 rebounds from Oscar Tshiebwe, the reigning player of the year who came off the bench in his season debut after missing the team’s first two games with injury. But Tshiebwe was in foul trouble late and got his fifth foul in overtime.
Michigan State got balanced contributions from everyone on the night with four players reaching double figures led by Joey Hauser, who had 23 points, and Malik Hall, who finished with 20 points. Mady Sissoko had 18 points and eight boards, and Tyson Walker had 14 points, nine of which came in the extra periods.