Kentucky WBB defeats No. 22 Alabama, 65-56 in Top 25 matchup

On Thursday, Kentucky Women’s Basketball hosted its first Top 25 matchup of the season against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Despite Alabama’s best efforts, the Wildcats came out victorious at Memorial Coliseum.

The game started as we all expected. Scrappy. With foul trouble looming on the horizon for both squads, the teams were forced to look to their benches. Alabama is used to doing that. Kentucky, on the other hand, isn’t.

After the first quarter, and an unknown scoreboard malfunction, Alabama led the ‘Cats, 21-15. Sarah Ashlee Barker proved to be exactly what she’s described as: a lethal shooter with high basketball IQ. The Alabama guard finished the first with 12 points on 4-6 FG (2-3 3FG). She added two quick rebounds. However, the rest of Alabama’s early points came from Zaay Green and Essence Cody, who combined for seven on 3-6 (50%) from the field. Georgia Amoore led the ‘Cats with six points on 3-5 (60%) from the field. P Clara Strack added four Amelia Hassett grabbed three, and Teonni Key earned two from a pair of free throws.

Kentucky came out hot in the second quarter with a quick three-pointer from Dazia Lawrence. But unfortunately, so did the Crimson Tide. Luckily, Saniah Tyler and Lawrence came in clutch from the perimeter. After going a combined 4-6 (66%) from three in the second quarter, the ‘Cats were up four heading into the half. Additionally, Lawrence added an insane four-point play.

12-0 RUN CATS 😤@Dlaw10_ @_saniah_tyler31 pic.twitter.com/XecrFEIFln

— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) January 31, 2025

Going into the second half, the ‘Cats were able to keep a steady lead for most of the third quarter. Threes finally started to fall for Georgia Amoore, and Kentucky’s halftime adjustments allowed them to contain Alabama’s Barker, though she sat for two minutes. During that time, Amoore achieved her 800th career assist with a dish to Saniah Tyler for three. The ‘Cats left the third quarter up 12 on the Crimson Tide, the largest margin of the game.

With a comfortable Kentucky lead heading into the fourth quarter, Alabama had a lot of ground to make up, especially since the ‘Cats weren’t slowing down. With about five minutes to go, Kentucky went up 15 on Alabama, almost sealing the deal on a home win. Just a minute later, Alabama came alive, and cut Kentucky’s lead to 11. Fortunately, Amelia Hassett drained her second three-pointer of the night and extended the Wildcats’ lead once again. Amazingly, Kentucky marked its 500th program win in Historic Memorial Coliseum with the nine-point victory over Alabama.

Georgia Amoore led scoring for the Wildcats with 16 points on 6-16 (37.5%) from the field and 2-6 from three. She added nine assists and three rebounds. Clara Strack finished close behind with 14 points and 14 rebounds to mark her tenth double-double of the season.

Up next, the 18-2 (7-1 SEC) Wildcats take on the No. 13 Oklahoma Sooners on Sunday, Feb. 2, at Lloyd Noble Center. Tipoff is at 4:00 p.m. EST and will be Kentucky’s second top 25 matchup of SEC play.