#14 Kentucky takes down #19 Illinois, 76-53, in Music City Classic

On Wednesday, Kentucky Women’s Basketball came out with the win over No. 19 Illinois in the final game of the Music City Classic.

Kentucky came hot out of the gates following a win over Arizona State on Tuesday. But, after shooting 6-17 (36%) in the first quarter, Kentucky finished the beginning 10 minutes down four on the Fighting Illini. Teonni Key opened up shooting for the ‘Cats, but Clara Strack drained a three for what would be another big game for the center.

Midway through the first, Kentucky leads the Illini by three thanks to a pair of threes by Clara Strack and Dazia Lawrence.

Kentucky 10 | Illinois 7 | 4:32 1Q

GAME THREAD: https://t.co/rzjHxdQCAg

LIVE BLOG: https://t.co/BLcO0wZoal pic.twitter.com/vT3TGzxL1u

— Katie Hutchison (@KHutchisonKSR) November 28, 2024

Illinois guard Adalia McKenzie led her team in scoring with eight points on 2-5 (40%) from the field. Illinois didn’t shoot any better than the ‘Cats though, only hitting six of 18 shots in the first. The Illini earned six of their 18 first quarter points at the free throw line, going 100% shooting on Kentucky’s four fouls. In order to pull this one out, the ‘Cats were going to have to clean things up defensively.

To open up the second, Georgia Amoore drained her first shot of the day: a mid-range jumper in transition. Then, Key tied the game at 18. The Illini didn’t score for the first three minutes of the second quarter, but quickly fell back into a groove to end the half.

Midway through the second, the game was tied at 22, and it was looking to be anyone’s game in this Top 20 matchup. In fact, the entirety of the second quarter was tied for almost five minutes. After 20 minutes of play, Kentucky and Illinois were neck and neck at 28. The teams were shooting a combined 23-67 (34%) from the field, and only 2-20 (10%) from three. Both of those threes came from Kentucky in the first quarter.

To start the third, Kentucky came out on an 8-1 run over the Illini. Strack recorded yet another double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds, and 17 minutes left to play. Though Kentucky struggled with turnovers, Illinois wasn’t really able to capitalize off of those. However, the Fighting Illini took advantage of the 19 fouls called on the ‘Cats. Illinois scored 18 points from the foul line, while Kentucky only added one.

Strack’s 25 points and 15 rebounds were the main contributor to Kentucky’s win over Illinois. Until the fourth quarter, Strack was the only Wildcat in double-digits. With seven minutes to go, Dazia Lawrence finally joined the double-digit club with a much needed three-pointer. The guard finished with 15 points and two steals. It wasn’t until the fourth quarter that Illinois guard Makira Cook made her team’s first three-pointer. The ‘Cats managed to pull away in the fourth quarter to finish with a 23-point win over the Illini.

After tonight’s win against Illinois, Kentucky remains undefeated heading into the Wildcats’ next matchup against North Carolina. The SEC/ACC Challenge takes place in Chapel Hill on Thursday, Dec. 5, at 5:00 p.m. EST on ESPN2.