Kentucky WBB's late rally can't overcome 1st quarter woes as 'Cats fall to No. 14 Virginia Tech

If you take away the opening 10 minutes of the game, Kentucky women’s basketball was the better team on Monday afternoon. Unfortunately, you can’t just wipe that away, and it proved to be the difference once the final buzzer sounded off.

In what was the first of two games for the Wildcats at the 2022 Baha Mar Hoops Pink Flamingo Championship in Nassau, Bahamas, Kentucky (4-1) fell to No. 14 Virginia Tech (4-0) by a final score of 82-74. UK was thrashed in the first period, falling into a massive hole and trailing 29-8 before anyone could blink. And despite tying the Hokies’ second-quarter point total and winning the second half by 13 points, the early deficit was too much to overcome for the ‘Cats.

“What I love about this team, we have heart. They have no quit in them,” Head coach Kyra Elzy said postgame. “We allowed Virginia Tech to build too big of a lead in that first quarter. If we could have that back, it might be a different outcome. But this is where you learn. Down the stretch, we emptied our tank to get back into the game and that just shows you that we have fight in us.”

Kentucky was down by 21 points at one point in the fourth frame before nearly rallying all the way back. UK trimmed the lead to as few as six with under 60 seconds left, but Virginia Tech made enough free throws to ultimately ice the win.

Huge second half for Kentucky, outscoring No. 14/14 Virginia Tech, 51-38.

Cats fall in the end, 82-74. pic.twitter.com/vCHAd1jc80

— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) November 21, 2022

For the game, both sides posted similar shooting numbers. Kentucky shot 44.1 percent from the floor (22.2 percent from deep) compared to 46.8 percent for Virginia Tech (28.6 percent from deep). The difference came down to rebounds (VT +11) and second-chance points (VT +9), which the Hokies won handily. Elsewhere, the stats mostly matched up, with Kentucky actually performing better in areas such as bench points (UK +18), paint points (UK +8), and points off turnovers (UK +15).

Kentucky was powered by 17 points, four assists, and five steals from sophomore guard Jada Walker while fifth-year senior Robyn Benton chipped in 13 points of her own. Off the bench, forward Ajae Petty was impressive, finishing with 12 points (6-8 shooting) and four rebounds in 18 minutes of action. Both of UK’s floor generals, Maddie Scherr and Eniya Russell, fouled out. Graduate student Blair Green recorded nine points on 4-5 shooting.

Virginia Tech saw excellent performances from its two main stars. Preseason All-American forward Elizabeth Kitley exploded for 25 points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks while converting on a 9-10 clip from the free-throw line. She was aided by 16 points and six rebounds from 2021 All-American Ashley Owusu.

Next up for the ‘Cats is another showdown in the Bahamas, but against an unranked opponent this time. Kentucky will take on the Dayton Flyers this Wednesday, Nov. 23 at 4:30 p.m. EST. Just like Monday’s game, this one will also be broadcasted on FloHoops.