FINAL: Kentucky WBB can't get back to .500 against Minnesota, loses 76-57 in Rupp Arena

For the first time since Kentucky beat USC Upstate on November 11th, the Lady ‘Cats were set to defend Rupp Arena against the 7-1 Minnesota Golden Gophers on Wednesday night. To this point, Minnesota looked like a solid team with their only loss coming to No. 17 UConn. However, the Gophers did not start off on such solid footing, as the ‘Cats led 17-16 after the first quarter of play.

At the break, Kentucky led 38-36 as Minnesota was hanging on with their hot shooting from deep, going 7-12 (58%) in the first half. Then, things changed. The game plan was simple for Minnesota. They were going to beat Kentucky with guard play on both ends. Offensively, Minnesota dominated from the perimeter, shooting lights out from three. The Gophers went 13-22 (59%) from beyond the arc on the night.

Then, on the defensive side, Minnesota did their best to contain Ajae Petty, the reigning SEC Player of the Week. They doubled her with every touch down low. They wanted to make Kentucky win by shooting from deep and using their guards. It wasn’t going to be easy for the ‘Cats to score in the paint.

That being said, Petty still managed to score 20 points and grab 12 rebounds. Seems like it came pretty easy for her after all. Her effort wasn’t enough to carry the ‘Cats to a win though, as Kentucky fell to 4-6 on the season with a 76-57 loss, ending a two-game win streak. UK finished 4-12 from long range and posted 12 assists to 16 turnovers.

Final. pic.twitter.com/BsMUHoGAVf

— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) December 7, 2023

One player who really showed up for Kentucky was Eniya Russell. The senior has now scored in double-digits in four of her last five games following her 15-point effort against Minnesota. Russell shot 6-15 (40%) from the field, grabbed seven rebounds, and also dished out five assists. A nice outing from the Baltimore native.

After having big games against Tennessee Tech, Saniah Tyler and Emma King both struggled against Minnesota. Tyler put up just eight points on 3-11 (27%) shooting. It was just as bad for King, who scored only five points on 2-6 (33%) shooting. With Kentucky’s lack of depth at the moment (four players were sidelined due to injury or suspension), they can’t afford for players to have off nights, but they did.

Kentucky now prepares to head to the KFC Yum! Center to take on the No. 18 Louisville Cardinals this Sunday. Again, the ‘Cats will look to derail a team that’s starting to get on a roll. The Cardinals are 8-1 with the only loss coming to Alabama. We’ll see if Kentucky can steal one on the road against the Cards and get a different result than what they came away with on Wednesday night.