Kentucky WBB wins at Rupp Over Missouri 76-71

Kentucky Women get a much needed win against the Missouri Tigers.

Brad Harvey January 21, 2024

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The Kentucky Wildcats (8-11) and the Missouri Tigers (11-7) battled at Rupp Arena today in Lexington, Kentucky. The game started with an Emma King three pointer but Missouri quickly took control of the game with a 16-9 1st quarter lead. The Cats closed the quarter down only 20-16.

Cats hanging tough after one. 20-16 Missouri. @KentuckyWBB @CSCast_ @j_sportscast @GreenvillSMedia pic.twitter.com/zH2pM2TUqJ
— Brad Harvey (@BradCSCast) January 21, 2024

In the 2nd quarter the Cats fought back to take an early lead on a Amiya Jenkins layup 23-22 and forced a Tigers timeout. Playing well the rest of the way taking a seven point lead at one point, the Cats took a 38-32 lead into halftime. Maddie Scherr lead the Cats with eight points, Saniah Tyler and Eniya Russell had 7 each, and Ajae Petty had six points and 5 boards.

On top through two!✌️😺 pic.twitter.com/5a0JViRrBe
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) January 21, 2024

The Wildcats have struggled all season in the third quarter. Missouri battled back to a one point deficit 48-47 and had a couple of trips to take the lead. However, the Cats closed out the quarter with a run thanks in part to Maddie Scherr. Her big three pointer and knocking down two free throws helped close out the quarter with a 55-50 advantage. The Cats finally played well and never relinquished their first half lead.

🪣@madd1escherr #WeAreUK pic.twitter.com/ObQaXPJ4UK
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) January 21, 2024

Saniah Tyler opened the fourth quarter with two big three point shots to extend the Cats lead to 63-52 with 7:42 to play. In a game Kentucky needed to bounced back in, the Cats found a way to cut down on turnovers and defend the three point line against a good shooting Missouri Tigers team with three leading scorers above 38% shooting from behind the arc on the year.

🧅🧅🧅🧅🧅ONIONS 🧅🧅🧅🧅🧅@eniyar1 #WeAreUK pic.twitter.com/2B67v93Qrc
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) January 21, 2024

Missouri fought to a tie late in the game 71-71 after Maddie Scherr fouled out, but Amiya Russell led the Cats to a much needed win late with a bucket and one of two free throws. Petty grabbed her miss off the board to record her 11th double double of the season and close out the win 76-71. Russell led the Cats with 20 points, Scherr had 19 points, nine rebounds, and six assist, Petty had 12 points and ten rebounds, and Tyler finished with 10 points.