LEXINGTON, Ky. _ A lingering question after the loss at Auburn on Saturday was who could Kentucky count on when mainstays Nick Richards and Ashton Hagans did not play well.
On his radio show Monday night, UK coach John Calipari joked about this scenario. "You punt," he said.
More seriously, Calipari pointed to EJ Montgomery as someone who could rescue Kentucky.
"I'm anxious for him to break through," Calipari said.
Something that resembled such a breakthrough helped Kentucky defeat Mississippi State, 80-72, on Tuesday night.
Montgomery's 12 points marked only his second double-digit scoring game since Dec. 8. His eight rebounds were the most he'd grabbed since getting 10 against Utah on Dec. 18.
Montgomery led the defensive effort against Mississippi State's main man, Reggie Perry. Perry, who came into the game leading the Southeastern Conference in scoring (21.3 points per game) and rebounding (10.9), made only 4 of 16 shots. He finished with 14 points and eight rebounds.
Not that Montgomery had to fill a Richards-sized void. Richards rebounded from a seven-point night at Auburn by scoring a career-high 27 points. None of his points seemed bigger than an elbow jumper with 4:12 left.
Richards also grabbed 11 rebounds to post his 10th double-double of the season.
After Mississippi State cut a 14-point Kentucky lead to 60-54, Richards hit a shot to ease growing concern inside Rupp Arena.
As if passing a baton, Montgomery gave way to Richards down the stretch.
Immanuel Quickley's 14-for-14 free-throw shooting established career highs for attempts and makes. He finished with 21 points.
Kentucky improved to 17-5 overall and 7-2 in the SEC.
Mississippi State felt to 14-8 overall and 5-4 in the SEC.
Montgomery made it clear from the beginning that he would be active. He took UK's first two shots, and four of the first eight. He missed the first three, but his layup in transition put UK ahead 7-0. The Cats never trailed in the first half.
Animated performances from Montgomery and Nate Sestina helped UK take a 31-23 halftime lead.
Montgomery was UK's leading scorer in the first half. His seven points included a purposeful baseline drive and basket over State "big" Abdul Ado that gave Kentucky its largest first-half lead: 31-21 with 1:41 left.
Montgomery's seven points in the first half were more than he'd scored in 10 previous games this season. His five rebounds were more than he'd grabbed in seven previous games.
Sestina erupted midway through the first half. In less than two minutes, he scored six points. He had scored six or fewer points in 10 previous games this season.
Meanwhile, Kentucky's defense made scoring difficult for Mississippi State throughout the half. The Bulldogs made only 9 of 29 shots. Perry made only two of seven en route to a quiet five-point first half.
With the memory of being beaten on the boards at Auburn on Saturday no doubt fresh in mind, Kentucky outrebounded State 21-18 in the first half. UK also had more offensive rebounds: 7-6.
Mississippi State's track record this season suggested it was too early for Kentucky to celebrate a victory. The Bulldogs rallied from deficits of 16 points and 18 points to win earlier games at Florida and against Sam Houston State, respectively.
But coach Ben Howland said Monday that he did not want to be in the position of needing a rally at Kentucky.
"We have no chance tomorrow unless we play 40 consecutive minutes of really good basketball," he said.
Although UK widened its lead to 40-28 inside the first five minutes of the second half, there was a scare. Sestina left the court holding his right shoulder with 17:27 left. He went directly to the locker room with a trainer following.
Only a minute or so went off the game clock when Sestina reemerged. His reappearance prompted applause.
A sequence midway through the second half illustrated how this was Kentucky's night at both ends of the floor.
Perry had a layup attempt blocked by Sestina, then missed an awkward fadeaway from the post.
Meanwhile, Montgomery drove into the lane and swished a lefty flip shot while being fouled by Perry.
Thirty seconds later, Montgomery posted up for a score that gave UK its largest lead yet: 50-36.
