FINAL: Kentucky WBB can't pull off a win against Arkansas, falls 88-61

For the first time in the 2023-24 season, Kentucky women’s basketball found themselves against a repeat opponent. On Jan. 4, the ‘Cats met Arkansas for the first time in Rupp Arena and came away with the 73-63 win after holding the Razorbacks to only 14 points in the entire first half.

Thursday night in Fayetteville, however, it was the complete opposite story. After Kentucky went down 18-0 in the first quarter alone, there was no stopping the red-hot Razorbacks the rest of the way. Arkansas wound up walking away with an easy 88-61 win.

Arkansas played without two of their best players: Taliah Scott and Saylor Poffenbarger. Scott is ninth in the nation in scoring (as a freshman), averaging 22.9 points per game. In Kentucky and Arkansas’ last meeting, the ‘Cats held Scott to only 11 points. Nonetheless, not having to deal with a revenge game from Scott was probably for the best. Meanwhile, Poffenbarger averages 10.1 points and 12.3 rebounds per game. Again, it was probably for the best that Ajae Petty didn’t have to deal with her under the basket, although it ultimately didn’t make much difference.

The ‘Cats struggled with scoring, specifically senior Ajae Petty. After seeing her potential earlier in the season, it seems that teams have figured out how to conceal her. The Razorbacks held the forward to only six points. Petty, however, did have 16 rebounds despite the lack of point production.

Maddie Scherr, who only scored two points against Arkansas the last time, improved in Thursday night’s matchup… sort of. The senior finished with two points and seven rebounds. Unfortunately, she also led her team in turnovers with five. Scherr got into foul trouble early on, and never really got out of it. Midway through the third quarter, the guard committed her fourth foul, and ultimately ended up fouling out in the fourth quarter.

The biggest difference in Thursday’s game? Turnovers. The ‘Cats committed a whopping 21, which the Razorbacks took advantage of, scoring 24 points on the other end. As for Arkansas, they committed only 11 turnovers, and Kentucky only scored 12 points off their miscues.

On a more positive note, Eniya Russell had another good game. The senior, who had one of her best outings against Missouri on Sunday, led her team in scoring with 20 points. Russell also picked up seven rebounds and two assists. Amiya Jenkins finished with 11 points, the highest for the sophomore since her 20-point performance against Lipscomb on Dec. 21.

Kentucky is now 0-8 in away games this season but has another chance to break the streak with a win over Alabama on Sunday, Jan. 8 in Tuscaloosa. Tipoff is set for 5:00 p.m. EST at Coleman Coliseum and can be streamed on the SEC Network.