FINAL: Kentucky WBB takes down Kentucky State 88-71 in lone exhibition

PStevensKSR

final-kentucky-wbb-takes-down-kentucky-state-lone-exhibition — Photo by UK Athletics

Wednesday morning, the Kentucky women’s basketball team took on the Kentucky State Thorobreds in the Widlcats’ first and only exhibition game of the season, winning 88-71 in front of a very, very rowdy environment.

Right out of the gate, the Lady Cats were all “run and gun”. There was a great emphasis on aggression on defense throughout the game, as mentioned in KSR’s preview of the game. More often than not, Kentucky was double-teaming whoever had the ball for KSU. Their pesky defense would create 10 first-half turnovers, allowing the ‘Cats to build a 45-31 lead at the break.

Ajae Petty was simply too big and too strong for the Thorobreds to handle. At the half, the 6-foot-3 Petty had 18 points on 8-8 shooting, as well as nine rebounds, two steals, and a block. You simply couldn’t ask her to be much better, although she did slow down in the second half. Petty still finished with 19 points, going 8-10 from the field. She also recorded 13 rebounds, two steals, and a block to power Kentucky to a win.

Class dismissed 😤📚 pic.twitter.com/TC26sj6t8p
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) November 1, 2023

Overall, Petty’s 19 points led the team. She also led the Lady Cats in total rebounds with 13. Today’s steals leaders on defense were Maddie Scherr and Petty with two each. Emma King and Zennia Thomas led the ‘Cats in blocks with two apiece. Meanwhile, Brooklynn Miles and Scherr’s five assists were tops on the team. Scherr struggled to get much of anything going on offense, finishing with just seven points on 1-6 shooting.

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Saniah Tyler and Amiya Jenkins were nice contributors as well. Tyler finished with 12 points on 2-4 shooting from deep, while Jenkins finished with seven points, four rebounds, and two assists. However, Jenkins would exit the game in the third quarter after being shaken up on a bang-bang play. She did not return.

King, Miles, and Thomas combined for 30 points on the day to add fuel to the fire. Kentucky held Kentucky State to 43.3% overall shooting (40% from three). The Thorobreds shot 29-67 from the field and 6-15 from deep while turning the ball over 24 times. A solid outing from the Lady Cats in their exhibition game as they prepare for the season opener against ETSU on November 7th.