Kentucky WBB can't overcome injuries in 50-40 loss to Georgia

Change is inevitable for a team that has lost 14 of its past 17 contests. Whether the team changes strategies, substitutions, or superstitions, change is coming. The Kentucky women’s basketball team made many changes tonight, but not by choice.

On Thursday evening, Kentucky (10-14; 2-11 SEC) fell 50-40 to the Georgia Bulldogs (18-9; 7-6 SEC) in Memorial Coliseum. The Wildcats were without star players Robyn Benton and Maddie Scherr due to injury and illness. Nobody could plug the fresh wounds the duo’s absence created.

Strong fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough. pic.twitter.com/VRLqb5Tdi2

— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) February 17, 2023

Blair Green tried. The 6-foot-2 guard led the Cats with 12 points and three assists while shooting 4-13 from the field and 3-8 from beyond the arc. Just one other Kentucky player scored double figures.

As a team, UK shot a poor 14-50 (28%) from the field and 4-14 (29%) from 3-point land. The loss isn’t Kentucky’s first this season against the Bulldogs. On Jan. 4, Kentucky fell to the Bulldogs 64-60 in enemy territory. This time in Memorial Coliseum, the ‘Cats couldn’t keep the game nearly as close, recording their lowest-scoring output of the season.

Extremely forgettable first half

With two of Kentucky’s top guards out, the team’s bigs had to step up. Early on, they did just that. Kentucky outrebounded Georgia on the offensive glass 6-0 in the first quarter. Unfortunately, rebounds don’t always translate to points.

The ‘Cats shot 4-15 from the field in the first frame, finishing the period on a near three-minute scoring drought. Everybody had an opportunity to get on the board. 10 ‘Cats saw action in just the first 10 minutes, including freshmen Cassidy Rowe and Amiya Jenkins.

ANOTHER ONE! @greenblair32 pic.twitter.com/5rW3E4E6Zh

— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) February 17, 2023

UK took a narrow 13-11 lead into the second period. However, foul trouble plagued the ‘Cats early in the second frame. Just three minutes into the period, both Blair Green and Adebola Adeyeye headed to the sideline with two fouls.

Kentucky felt the veterans’ absence. The team only scored five points through the entire second frame, tying the lowest-scoring period for Kentucky this season. At the half, no Kentucky player had more than four points. Fittingly, Georgia strolled into the halftime break with a 21-16 lead.

Kentucky falls just short in the second half

Kentucky seemingly needed more time during the break to strategize. Georgia blitzed the ‘Cats out of the gate, running off eight unanswered points. UK couldn’t answer, suffering through a four-minute scoring drought.

It was one of those nights for the ‘Cats. Kentucky shot 2-11 for the period while committing six turnovers. Georgia secured a convincing 38-23 lead before the teams headed into the final frame.

Nevertheless, Kentucky refused to quietly accept its loss. After Georgia scored two quick points, UK went on an 11-0 run. Georgia guard Alisha Lewis halted the exciting streak when she drained a 10-footer with just over three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

LET'S GOOOOOO 🗣🗣🗣@rachel2beauty pic.twitter.com/bwUX94TWNJ

— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) February 17, 2023

As if the Lewis bucket wasn’t painful enough, Jada Walker fouled out just 30 seconds later on a questionable charge call. Kentucky fought hard but waited too late to mount a comeback. When the dust settled, Georgia picked up its second win over the ‘Cats this season in a 50-40 victory.

In the loss, Kentucky had 22 turnovers, leading to 15 points for Georgia. Without its top two shooters, UK attempted to score in the paint. They failed. The ‘Cats had 18 paint points, minimized by Georgia’s seven blocks.

Besides Green, Adebola Adeyeye was the only ‘Cat to record double-digits. The 6-foot-2 forward dropped 11 points and 10 rebounds in 22 minutes. Adeyeye shot 3-6 from the field and 5-6 from the free-throw line.

Kentucky only has three days to rest before its next contest. On Sunday, the ‘Cats will take on the Vanderbilt Commodores at 3 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network+.