Kentucky Advances Over Georgia 64-50 In SEC WBB Tourney

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For the fifth straight year the Kentucky Wildcats win at least one game in the SEC Women’s Basketball Conference Tournament. The 12 seed Kentucky Wildcats (12-19) survive and advance 64-50 over the 13 seeded Georgia Bulldogs (12-18).

The Cats + Greenville, S.C. = Big Blue Magic 🪄✨ pic.twitter.com/1wq47gXDf3
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) March 6, 2024

The Bulldogs scored the games first four points and early in the first quarter held a 10-4 lead. That would be Georgia’s biggest lead. The Cats closed the first quarter on a 17-4 run ignited by Eniya Russell. Russell came off the bench with the hot hand, as she hit a step back three pointer at the buzzer to give the Cats the 21-14 advantage to end the first.

Kentucky extended the lead in the second quarter with Brooklynn Miles running the show, getting the the line, and hitting a three pointer. Miles finished with 9 points at halftime. Ajae Petty had eight points and nine rebounds with Russell leading the Cats to a 36-22 lead. The Cats held a 25-13 advantage on the boards at halftime over the Bulldogs. A big stat since in the last game this season in Athens, Georgia out rebounded Kentucky 43-23 for the game.

HT Stat Leaders:@eniyar1: 10 pts., 2-2 3FG, 1 reb, 2 ast.@miles_brooklynn: 9 pts., 3-4 FGs, 1-2 3FG, 4 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl.@AjaePetty15: 8 pts., 3-10 FGs, 2-2 FT, 9 reb, 1 ast. pic.twitter.com/70FmUZUZqA
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) March 6, 2024

During the third quarter Georgia tried to make a few runs to cut the lead down. They twice cut the lead to five and six, each time the Cats pushed it back out to double digits. Nicholson had the mid-range shot going to keep the Bulldogs within striking distance. However, once again the Cats closed out the quarter to maintain a 51-38 lead after three.

The Wildcats kept the lead around doubles figures the entire fourth quarter lead. Behind a defense that held Georgia 0-11 from the three-point line for the entire game and out rebounding Georgia 41-25, the Cats advanced to Thursday. Russell led the Cats with 19 points. Ajae Petty finished with 11 points and 14 rebounds. Brooklynn Miles has her best game in weeks with 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assist.

Today is the first time that @KentuckyWBB has held an opponent in the SEC Tournament to zero made 3-pointers since March 3rd, 2012 (LSU)
— Corey Price (@coreyp08) March 6, 2024

Coach Kyra Elzy continues her magic in the SEC tournament. She has led the Cats to four of those five first game wins in the SEC tournament. Last year she lead her under .500 team to surprise showing in the semifinals and in 2022 she led her Cats to an astounding come fro behind win over number ranked heavily favored South Carolina Gamecocks to win the 2022 SEC Tournament Championship. It was only the schools second ever SEC Tournament title.

The Wildcats have won seven of their last eight games in the SEC Tournament.

& they advanced in the tournament for the fifth straight year. 🔥😍🤍 pic.twitter.com/8HMz0pBLGU
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) March 6, 2024

Kentucky will now face Tennessee on Thursday is this seasons quarterfinals at approximately 2:30pm EST. The SEC Women’s Tournament in being held at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. The game will be on SEC Network.