The Kentucky Wildcats Women’s Basketball team traveled to Starkville, Mississippi last night to take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs. The Wildcats lost a heartbreaker in overtime at home to the Bulldogs 77-74 just 3 weeks ago. Kentucky and Coach Elzy came into this game off of a win against Florida and looking for their first win of the season away from home.
⏰ for some🏀!
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) February 23, 2024
📺 https://t.co/omZiqCbsRV (SECN+)
📻 https://t.co/SB9V7bBAeB (630 WLAP) pic.twitter.com/TBYPGEfnZT
The game started slow for the Cats as they fell behind early 8-2. From there both teams traded blows back in forth until State led 18-11 with 3:46 to go in the first quarter. That is when Sophomore Guard Saniah Tyler happened. She closed the quarter hitting 4 three pointers and leading Kentucky on a 16-4 run to a 27-22 first quarter advantage.
2⃣7⃣
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) February 23, 2024
The most first-quarter points from the Wildcats all season. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/L2TsLNtKQA
The second quarter was a struggle for both teams. However, the Wildcats did manage on three occasions to pull ahead by their largest lead of the half by nine points. The last being a 35-26 lead with 3:29 to go on a Maddie Scherr layup. From there the Bulldogs went on a 8-0 run to close the quarter, which gave Kentucky a 35-34 halftime lead.
First half clicks. 📸 pic.twitter.com/v4g8nvYgNv
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) February 23, 2024
The third quarter has been tough on Kentucky all season, and this was no different. Mississippi State continued their run from late in second quarter to add nine more straight points taking the lead 43-35 early in the third. The Cats clawed back to being down only 1 on two free throws by Eniya Russell 48-47 with 4:14 to go. Then the Bulldogs went on another run to finish the third quarter leading 63-54.
Now you see her, now you don't. 🌪️@AjaePetty15 pic.twitter.com/0HR5SNUHjw
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) February 23, 2024
A made three pointer by Mississippi State with 8:34 to go in the game gave the Bulldogs their largest lead in the game at 66-56 early in the fourth quarter. From there the Cats clamped down on defense and held State to just two points the rest of the game. Fittingly a Saniah Tyler three pointer gave the Cats the lead for good 70-68 with 3:09 to go. The Cats closed out the game on a 22-2 run to get their first win of the season 78-68 away from home.
ST caps off a 1⃣1⃣ – 0⃣ run to take the lead! 😺🔥@_saniah_tyler31 pic.twitter.com/ZwbI6NTLIh
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) February 23, 2024
Saniah Tyler led the Kentucky with 22 points and 6-8 from behind the three-point line. Ajae Petty had her 14th double-double of the season with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Eniya Russell finished with 14 pts and Maddie Scherr chipped in 11. The Cats return home for Senior Night against number one ranked South Carolina on Sun, Feb 25th at 3:00 eastern time. The game will be televised by SEC Network.
Road Cats! 😺@KentuckyWBB goes on a 19-0 run to outscore Mississippi State 24-5 in the 4th quarter and pick up the win in Starkville!#SECWBB pic.twitter.com/irCc9rzAoT
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) February 23, 2024
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