Kentucky Wildcats fall short at Tennessee Lady Vols

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When: Sunday, January 7, 2024 at 12:00 PM ET
Where: Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee
TV: SEC Network

GM, #BBN, it’s game day. 😼 pic.twitter.com/I3OhqJWDD5
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) January 7, 2024

Kentucky vs. Tennessee Scoring Comparison

The Wildcats’ 66.5 points per game are just 4.3 fewer points than the 70.8 the Volunteers give up.
Kentucky is 8-0 when it scores more than 70.8 points.
Tennessee has a 4-0 record when its opponents score fewer than 66.5 points.
The Volunteers score 8.7 more points per game (77.8) than the Wildcats allow (69.1).
When Tennessee totals more than 69.1 points, it is 8-1.
When Kentucky allows fewer than 77.8 points, it is 6-5.
The Volunteers are making 42.3% of their shots from the field, two% lower than the Wildcats concede to opponents (44.3%).
The Wildcats make 42.2% of their shots from the field, just 3.9% more than the Volunteers’ defensive field-goal percentage.

Kentucky Leaders

Ajae Petty: 16.3 PTS, 10.5 REB, 1.2 STL, 59 FG%
Maddie Scherr: 14.6 PTS, 1.7 STL, 38.6 FG%, 34 3PT% (18-for-53)
Eniya Russell: 8.5 PTS, 42.6 FG%, 21.4 3PT% (3-for-14)
Brooklynn Miles: 6.1 PTS, 1.1 STL, 39.5 FG%, 10.5 3PT% (2-for-19)
Saniah Tyler: 9.4 PTS, 31.3 FG%, 32.2 3PT% (28-for-87)

Sunday's starters. 😼

📺https://t.co/bIOV0KW9wn (SEC Network)
📻https://t.co/5GkBskyqCd (630 WLAP) pic.twitter.com/AxapCT3ZKk
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) January 7, 2024

Tennessee Leaders

Sara Puckett: 10.6 PTS, 45.0 FG%, 31.0 3PT% (13-for-42)
Karoline Striplin: 12.2 PTS, 55.3 FG%, 45.2 3PT% (14-for-31)
Jasmine Powell: 10.5 PTS, 43.2 FG%, 33.3 3PT% (11-for-33)
Jewel Spear: 10.7 PTS, 38.0 FG%, 31.6 3PT% (24-for-76)
Jillian Hollingshead: 6.1 PTS, 41.9 FG%

The Kentucky Wildcats (8-7) and the Tennessee Lady Volunteers (8-5) are both coming into this game on four game win streaks. The Wildcats had a big win at home over Arkansas 73-63 in their SEC opener and the Lady Vols beat Auburn 75-67 on the road. Both teams are hoping to capitalize on their 1-0 SEC record as each team gets more healthy. Kentucky’s G Maddie Scherr (14.6 ppg) has returned after missing time early in the Cats early season struggles just as F Rickea Jackson has returned for the Lady Vols and is averaging a 20 points and 11 rebounds in just five games to this point in the season.

As the game began, Ajae Petty led the Cats with six points to a 18-14 first quarter lead. The Cats out rebounded the taller Vols 11-9 and forced them into seven turnovers. Maddie Scherr and Brooklynn Miles both added four points each for the Cats to jump out to the early lead.

With 14 points and 10 rebounds, @AjaePetty15 records her ninth double-double of the season and 11th of her career! pic.twitter.com/yWZshTU0qW
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) January 7, 2024

In the second quarter, the Cats caught fire as they shot five for five from three point land to begin the quarter. Cassidy Rowe and Saniah Tyler both knocked down two each to lead the three point barrage. Kentucky played at a frantic pace and scored 31 second quarter points at one time building a 17 point lead. Petty led the Cats with 12 points and seven rebounds as Tyler also reached double figures with ten points to help them to a 49-39 halftime advantage. Jewel Spear with 13 and Rickea Jackson with 11 points led the Lady Vols.

What a first half from the Cats! 😤 pic.twitter.com/ExSqxHz9jq
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) January 7, 2024

The 3rd quarter was marred by 5 consecutive trips down the floor with turnovers and blocks shots by Tennessee C Tamari Key for the Wildcats. Maddie Scherr picking up her fourth foul and having to sit caused problems for the Cats as well. Tennessee regained control of the game 66-60 as the third quarter closed.

.@madd1escherr knocks down the jumper! pic.twitter.com/YPzR7A7dvP
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) January 7, 2024

Kentucky went cold in the second half and loses the game 87-69 after scoring only 20 points after the half. After shooting 50% in the first half, they shot 24% in the second half. Tennessee’s height took over the game as they out rebounded the Cats 25-16 and had 7 blocked shots. Four players reached double figures for the Cats as Enya Russell led them off the bench with 16 points, Petty had 14 points and 14 rebounds, Maddie Scherr had 13 points, and Saniah Tyler added 10. Tennessee was led by Jackson with 27 points and Spear with 21.

Final. pic.twitter.com/UP8R5v0JQt
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) January 7, 2024

The Wildcats (8-8, 1-1 SEC) will return home to take on Vanderbilt at Rupp on Thursday January 11th. Vanderbilt is taking on Florida at home today and is 14-1 on the season. The Cats hope to continue their good home record (8-2) so far this season.

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