Kentucky Women’s Basketball (12-20) coming off of a day one win at the SEC tournament came up short to the Tennessee (18-11) in day two. The Wildcats have been playing without their second leading scorer on the season Maddie Scherr, who is in concussion protocol from the last game of the season against LSU.
Before tip-off 2 old teammates now rival coaches meet. @KentuckyWBB vs Tennessee#SECWBB tourney@CSCast_ @GreenvillSMedia @drinklocalbham @JasonJeharrison @CSCastJ pic.twitter.com/YpqJ2tuTfK
— Brad Harvey (@BradCSCast) March 7, 2024
Kentucky had momentum coming into the game having won their first game in the SEC tournament for the fifth straight season on Wednesday versus Georgia. The Cats used that to score the games first five points. Fifth year Senior Emma King, playing in what would be her last game. buried a three pointer to open the game. A Cassidy Rowe bucket gave the Cats a 5-0 lead.
Kentucky led til the end in the first quarter. The Cats led 3 times by five points, the last time at 14-9. King and Rowe led the way for the Cats both with five points each in the first frame. Tennessee closed the first out on a 10-4 run to take the lead 19-18. Sara Puckett took charge to score 10 in the first.
Petty with the reverse! 🔄@AjaePetty15 pic.twitter.com/ge8pC3Hg0A
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) March 7, 2024
The second quarter was a tough low scoring back in forth affair. Saniah Tyler scored six for the Cats and Kentucky stayed within one score at the half 28-26. The Cats held Rickea Jackson to just two points and five rebounds at the half and the team to 26% shooting. Tennessee had the rebounding edge 26-18.
This fight isn't over yet. 😼 pic.twitter.com/PGugyClXuY
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) March 7, 2024
As the third quarter started the Cats scored first to tie the game at 28, however, Tennessee went on a 17-7 run to take a 45-35 advantage mid-way thru the quarter. After Elzy’s timeout, the Cats scored five to cut the lead to 45-40 but never was able to get any closer. Kentucky held Jackson to eight points, but Puckett had a great game scoring 22 on the game. The final score was 76-62.
Tough one in Greenville. Gave it our all, #BBN. pic.twitter.com/KjbWUXQ4zr
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) March 7, 2024
Saniah Tyler paved the way for the Cats today with 17 points. The Sophomore has been a bright spot down the stretch of a tough season averaging 15 points a game the last few weeks. Ajae Petty finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds, this was her 18th double double of the season. Eniya Tyler had 11 points and six rebounds today.
Homegrown Kentucky native Emma King finished her career with eight points on two three pointers against Tennessee. After the game in the post-game press conference King said, “she told her dad in the fifth grade that she wanted to play for Kentucky”. “This is all I ever wanted to do” she went on to say. Emma was a part of the 2022 team who upset number one South Carolina and won the SEC tournament title. Kentucky’s second ever SEC tournament crown.
Emma gets us started with a three! 🔥@Emma_King34 pic.twitter.com/jFxT0FweXZ
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) March 7, 2024
Now the Cats head to the off-season with many questions to be answered. Who comes back for an extra year of eligibility? Are there any transfers? Can the Cats bring in skilled size? And most importantly what about head coach Kyra Elzy? All of these will be answered over the next several days and weeks.
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