The Kentucky WBB Wildcats returned home tonight to take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs (17-5). The Bulldogs are coming off a huge upset of number ninth ranked LSU and Angel Reese on Monday night. Kentucky is 9-3 at home this season and welcomed returning to Rupp. Ajae Petty scored the first basket of the game to put the Cats up 2-0 and remained a tight game through the first quarter as the Cats trailed only 10-9 after one.
Ajae Petty scores the first basket of the game. 2-0 @KentuckyWBB vs @HailStateWBK@CSCast_ @DaFanboys @GreenvillSMedia @j_sportscast @drinklocalbham @JasonJeharrison pic.twitter.com/Hgq8jjefCx
— Brad Harvey (@BradCSCast) February 2, 2024
In the second quarter Miss St pulled away slightly but the Cats kept the big scoring quarter disaster from happening and went into halftime behind 29-22. Ajae Petty and Amiya Jenkins both had 6 points in the first half. Maddie Scherr had four and Cassidy Rowe hit the Cats only three point shot. Jessika Carter led the bulldogs with 12 points and seven boards.
Timeout on the floor Cats cut it to 2! 4:56 to go in the 3rd. Eniya Russell in the lane with the basket 37-35 to Miss St at Rupp.@GreenvillSMedia @CSCast_ @j_sportscast
— Brad Harvey (@BradCSCast) February 2, 2024
After halftime Eniya Russell has come to life, driving the lane and scoring to bring the Cats back to within striking distance. Petty picked up her third foul about midway through the third and had to go to the bench. After that Russell who was scoreless brought the cats back within two. Cutting the Miss St lead to 47-45 at the end of three.
After 3 quarters Cats hanging tough. Cut it to 47-45 @KentuckyWBB vs @HailStateWBK @CSCast_ @GreenvillSMedia @DaFanboys @j_sportscast @drinklocalbham @JasonJeharrison pic.twitter.com/rAQW4BLbz2
— Brad Harvey (@BradCSCast) February 2, 2024
The Cats fought back to take a six point lead in the forth quarter. But three big corner threes late put Miss St up 66-64 with eight seconds to go. A Russell drive from the top of the key with three seconds to go put the game into overtime. Miss State scored first in overtime. The Bulldogs took that momentum to a 76-71 point lead with one to go. Scherr splashed a three to cut the lead to three with 30 seconds remaining. The Cats had two shots to tie but fell short tonight 77-74 in overtime.
Scherr led the Cats with 19 points and eight rebounds, while Russell had 15 points all after halftime. Saniah Tyler finished with 14 points and Petty recorded her 12th double double of the season with 12 points and ten rebounds. Carter led the Bulldogs with 25 points and 13 boards.
Final. pic.twitter.com/hmjkjyYVA8
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) February 2, 2024
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