Cats Down Gators In First Game Without Thompson
[caption id="attachment_171768" align="alignnone" width="600"]
Photo via Mark Zerof, USA Today[/caption]
In a game that featured 17 lead changes, the 10th ranked Wildcats were able to leave Memorial Coliseum with a 62-56 win and sole possession of third place in the SEC. Florida had not played a ranked team all season, but the number in front of the name did not scare the Gators, and the competition wasn’t decided until the final minute.
“Our young post didn’t come to play tonight,” Coach Matthew Mitchell said after the game. Luckily for Kentucky, the guards were ready to go. Makayla Epps shinned as she started at the point guard position replacing Janee Thompson, something that Florida coach Amanda Butler said they did not prepare for. On replacing Thompson, the only Cat that had started every game this season, Makayla said that she was “grateful for the opportunity” although she was obviously unhappy about how it came about. The sophomore guard scored an efficient 20 points, shooting 6-10 from the floor, while also going 8-8 from the charity stripe. Four of those free throws came in the final minute, both to extend UK’s lead to multiple possessions. After the game Coach Mitchell had high praise for her, saying that he believes Makayla could end up being one of the best guards in the country before her time here in Lexington is done.
Bria Goss returned to the starting lineup after missing the last 6 games due to a hand injury. Although she only scored 2 points, her 23 minutes were vital for UK to pick up the victory. Along with Goss returning, Freshman Jaycee Coe was another guard that stepped up to fill the big shoes of Thompson. Coming into the game, Coe had played only very limited minutes, but nevertheless played fearless in her 14 tonight, scoring a career high 7 points. After the game Coach Mitchell and Linaee Harper were both celebratory of Coe, Harper saying that she provided a much needed “spark off the bench.”
With the win, Kentucky improves to 15-3 on the year, and 4-1 in what Matthew Mitchell calls “the best league in the country.” Mitchell’s team also remains undefeated at home this season, and after a couple games on the road, the Cats will return to Memorial to face the Lady Vols of Tennessee.
But first, Kentucky will look ahead to LSU, as they travel to Baton Rouge to face the Tigers on Sunday. The game will be aired on ESPNU at 2pm.
@armonnett
Photo via Mark Zerof, USA Today[/caption]
In a game that featured 17 lead changes, the 10th ranked Wildcats were able to leave Memorial Coliseum with a 62-56 win and sole possession of third place in the SEC. Florida had not played a ranked team all season, but the number in front of the name did not scare the Gators, and the competition wasn’t decided until the final minute.
“Our young post didn’t come to play tonight,” Coach Matthew Mitchell said after the game. Luckily for Kentucky, the guards were ready to go. Makayla Epps shinned as she started at the point guard position replacing Janee Thompson, something that Florida coach Amanda Butler said they did not prepare for. On replacing Thompson, the only Cat that had started every game this season, Makayla said that she was “grateful for the opportunity” although she was obviously unhappy about how it came about. The sophomore guard scored an efficient 20 points, shooting 6-10 from the floor, while also going 8-8 from the charity stripe. Four of those free throws came in the final minute, both to extend UK’s lead to multiple possessions. After the game Coach Mitchell had high praise for her, saying that he believes Makayla could end up being one of the best guards in the country before her time here in Lexington is done.
Bria Goss returned to the starting lineup after missing the last 6 games due to a hand injury. Although she only scored 2 points, her 23 minutes were vital for UK to pick up the victory. Along with Goss returning, Freshman Jaycee Coe was another guard that stepped up to fill the big shoes of Thompson. Coming into the game, Coe had played only very limited minutes, but nevertheless played fearless in her 14 tonight, scoring a career high 7 points. After the game Coach Mitchell and Linaee Harper were both celebratory of Coe, Harper saying that she provided a much needed “spark off the bench.”
With the win, Kentucky improves to 15-3 on the year, and 4-1 in what Matthew Mitchell calls “the best league in the country.” Mitchell’s team also remains undefeated at home this season, and after a couple games on the road, the Cats will return to Memorial to face the Lady Vols of Tennessee.
But first, Kentucky will look ahead to LSU, as they travel to Baton Rouge to face the Tigers on Sunday. The game will be aired on ESPNU at 2pm.
@armonnett
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