Kentucky WBB Wins Over Florida at 50th Year Alumni Game

Brad Harvey February 18, 2024

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Kentucky Women’s Basketball is celebrating their 50th year anniversary for women’s basketball this season all year long. Today at Rupp Arena over 90 former players, coaches, and more are being recognized and celebrated during the game versus the Florida Gators. The University is rolling out the blue carpet for all the top former players as Coach Elzy is hoping to get back into the win column.

@KentuckyWBB tips with Florida. Alumni Game at Rupp Arena.

Cats lead early 7-4@GreenvillSMedia @CSCast_ @drinklocalbham @JonSpor11 @JasonJeharrison pic.twitter.com/oZYdYHQ45k
— Brad Harvey (@BradCSCast) February 18, 2024

The current Cats are struggling with a season long six game losing streak (9-15). The Gators are 13-10 and 4-7 in SEC play. The Cats jumped out to an early 7-4 lead on an Emma King three pointer. From there both teams went back in forth to a 17-17 tie at the end of the first quarter. Brooklynn Miles led the Cats in the first with 5 points.

Hey Cat fans, #BBN maybe y’all heard of Stacey Reed. 1995 Alumni @KentuckyWBB and All-time leader in STL per game(2.7) 1990s recognized. @GreenvillSMedia @JonSpor11 @CSCast_ @drinklocalbham @JasonJeharrison pic.twitter.com/s66XLYfVhQ
— Brad Harvey (@BradCSCast) February 18, 2024

In the second quarter Eniya Russell scored 9 of her 11 points in leading the Cats to a halftime advantage. Maddie Scherr added five of her seven total points in the second as Kentucky scratched out a 36-34 halftime lead. Getting back to winning basketball at home is extremely important for Coach Elzy and her Cats.

MADDIE THREEE! 🔥@madd1escherr pic.twitter.com/azt3EOntvy
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) February 18, 2024

Early in the third did not start as planned, as Florida jumped out to a 41-36 lead with just 1:10 played. However, the Cats responded with a 9-0 run to go up 45-41 with 6:00 to go. The Gators came back with a 10-0 run of their own to regain a 51-45 advantage. Amiya Jenkins and Russell with inside drives cut the lead to one. Florida closes out the quarter to take a 60-54 lead after 3.

The Wildcats of the 2000s, 2010s and 2020s! 😻

💙🏀💙 pic.twitter.com/mDQD4h4DkF
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) February 18, 2024

Being down six at the start of the forth quarter, the Wildcats clawed to within two with five minutes to go (69-67). A huge late rebound from Ajae Petty led to Russell going 1-2 from the free throw line to take a 77-73 lead with 34 seconds left. The Gators scored a quick bucket to cut it to two. But Russell responded with two big free throws for the Cats to put them back up four. After the Gators missed on their next trip, Brooklynn Miles hit one of two from the line.

Saniah took it all the way for the lead!!! 🙀@_saniah_tyler31 pic.twitter.com/kxrUL0AuBc
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) February 18, 2024

The Cats end their losing streak and get the win over the Gators 81-77. Russell led the Cats with 24, Maddie Scherr had 14, and Petty and Jenkins had 10 a piece. The Cats take on Mississippi State in Starkville next.