Kentucky WBB falls to Oklahoma, 69-65, in SEC Tournament Quarterfinals

kghutchi

After almost a full week off, Kentucky Women’s Basketball made its way to Greenville, South Carolina to compete in the 2025 SEC Tournament. This year, the ‘Cats earned the highly sought after double-bye, meaning they skipped straight to the Quarterfinals to take on 5-seed Oklahoma. Though Kentucky had beaten the Sooners before, it wasn’t going to be an easy task to come out with a win in Greenville.

Last time Kentucky and Oklahoma met, Georgia Amoore scored a whopping 43 points propelling her team to a nine-point victory on the road. While it wasn’t expected for Amoore to score 43 points again, she still made a day for herself. Just a minute into the second quarter, the point guard marked 10 points on 4-7 (57.1%) from the field. While neither team was shooting efficiently in the first half, Kentucky did just enough to maintain a five-point lead over the Sooners heading into the third quarter. After 20 minutes of play, Amoore led all scorers with 12 points on 5-13 (38%) from the field.

Finally in the third quarter, Amoore made her first three of the game to push Kentucky’s lead to 10. Unfortunately, the Sooners knew exactly how to respond: actually make some shots. As quick as Kentucky’s lead became 10, it fell to only two. Despite that, the ‘Cats were still firing on all cylinders, continuing to push as hard as they could. While Kentucky had control of the game for the majority, the Sooners were not going away. Especially when Payton Verhulst decided to take her team on an 11-2 run to take a lead at the end of the third quarter. Luckily, Amoore responded, and heading into the fourth quarter, Kentucky was only down one.

Mar 7, 2025; Greenville, SC, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Kenny Brooks talks with guard Georgia Amoore (3) during a free throw against the Oklahoma Sooners during the second half at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Early in the fourth, the ‘Cats took the lead once again, but the two teams were just going back and fourth. With six minutes to go, Amelia Hassett sent Verhulst to the line to shoot two free throws. Verhulst made them both, and extended Oklahoma’s lead to three. After almost four minutes with no buckets, Clara Strack finally ends Kentucky’s drought with a jumper with less than five minutes to go. Thanks to a couple great assists by Lexi Blue and Amoore, Kentucky took the lead again. But no surprise, Oklahoma took it right back.

Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning

By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.

Turnover after turnover Kentucky kept giving Oklahoma chances to score. Even though Amoore made the team’s fourth three-pointer of the game to make it a one possession game, it was no use. The ‘Cats were unable to overcome the Sooners for a second time this season, and fell in their first game of the SEC Tournament.

For now, the ‘Cats get a much needed break until the NCAA Tournament. Selection Sunday takes place on March 16, 2025, to officially give the ‘Cats a place in the tourney.