FINAL: Kentucky WBB ends regular season at 11-19 with loss at LSU

In the last game of the regular season, the ‘Cats kept up with the No. 9 LSU Tigers for as long as they could, but in the end, Kentucky lost 77-56 to LSU down on the bayou. Kentucky ends the regular season with an overall record of 11-19 and a 4-12 record in the SEC.

Ajae Petty struggled offensively at first, but she caught fire in the second half. Additionally, she was just as dominant on the glass as she has been all season. She finished with 13 points on 6/15 (40%) shooting, but against Angel Reese and the talented, big frontcourt that LSU has, she managed to rack up 15 rebounds. Nine of her points came in the third quarter alone.

It was somewhat of a bittersweet homecoming for Petty against her former school.

In Kentucky’s loss to Ole Miss, Amiya Jenkins scored 10 points in 29 minutes of action, and her momentum against the Rebels carried over into the LSU game. Against the Tigers, she recorded 14 points and two rebounds. Overall, it wasn’t a very good day for the ‘Cats offensively, and as a result, LSU ran away with the game in the end.

Final. pic.twitter.com/J7HlnZHwmK

— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) March 3, 2024

This one started off on a rough note for the ‘Cats. Kentucky started the game off slow, struggling to make shots early. LSU hopped out to an early lead and it was 20-9 Tigers after one. However, Kentucky showed much resolve in the second quarter, and the lead was cut down to six heading into the half. Kentucky trailed 33-27 after two quarters of play.

Unfortunately, Kentucky just couldn’t keep up in the second half, and it was all Tigers to finish this one out. LSU outscored Kentucky 27-18 in the third quarter, and that only swelled from then on. Despite making multiple runs in an attempt to get back into the game, Kim Mulkey’s squad had too much firepower for Kentucky to counteract.

Maddie Scherr exited the game with an apparent head injury late in the 3rd quarter as well. That may very well end up being the most significant part of today’s game. She finished with seven points and three boards on the day.

Next up for Kentucky is the SEC Tournament in Greenville, South Carolina. At this very second, the ‘Cats are 12th in the conference, ahead of Georgia and the last place Missouri Tigers. If things end up the way they are now, then Kentucky would take on Georgia (12-16; 3-12 SEC) on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. EST.