Kentucky WBB falls to Murray State for first time ever in stunning 51-44 loss

From the opening tip, it was clear which team brought the effort. Unfortunately for the fans in attendance, that group wasn’t the one they were there to watch.

On Friday night, Kentucky women’s basketball (7-3) was stunned by the unranked Murray State Racers (6-2) inside Memorial Coliseum, losing by a final score of 51-44. This was the first time in program history that Murray State has beaten Kentucky. The Racers came into Friday’s matchup 0-15.

Graduate student Robyn Benton did all she could to will her Wildcats back into the game down the stretch, but the rest of her teammates left plenty to be desired. Kentucky was outrebounded 42-35, shot just 2-17 from beyond the arc, and attempted just four free throws throughout the evening.

It was the worst performance of the season by far for the ‘Cats up to this point. Kentucky has now dropped two straight games after falling to Louisville on Sunday at Rupp Arena.

Final. pic.twitter.com/94yfHPuKwk

— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) December 17, 2022

Kentucky struck first against the Racers to take a quick 2-0 lead, but that was the last time the Wildcats would go in front. Murray State went on to win the first quarter 14-7 as UK shot just 3-13 overall from the floor while turning the ball over seven times. Head coach Kyra Elzy played 10 different players throughout the opening period, but nothing would stick.

The second quarter is when Kentucky finally began to find any semblance of a groove. While the ‘Cats only shot 5-15 in the frame, the turnovers were cut down as the defense on Murray State began to step up. Kentucky won the period 13-11, but that only made it a five-point deficit at the break.

To put it lightly, Murray State simply put forth more effort than the ‘Cats in the first half. That would continue after the intermission.

The locker room speech didn’t seem to light a fire under Elzy’s squad. Kentucky scored just eight points in the third quarter compared to 10 for Murray State. Both sides shot a combined 8-30 in the period while turning the ball over five times apiece. It certainly wasn’t the most aesthetically pleasing display of basketball, but the Racers were playing harder than UK and it was evident on the court.

As the fourth quarter began, reality quickly began to hit the ‘Cats. Elzy was searching for any sort of lineup that could bring energy and some consistency. However, it never came. Benton rattled off eight straight points in the closing minutes but missed a handful of timely shots that would have cut into the Murray State lead. Kentucky trailed 42-34 midway through the fourth before falling 51-44.

Benton led the way for the ‘Cats, finishing with 15 points on 7-15 shooting. She was aided by 11 points and nine rebounds from forward Ajae Petty, who played only 21 minutes. 11 different Kentucky players saw the floor for Coach Elzy, but only three of them managed to score more than four points.

It’ll be a quick turnaround for the Wildcats as Florida Gulf Coast comes to Lexington on Sunday. Tipoff is set for 1:00 p.m. EST on the SEC Network+.