Clara Strack sets program record for blocks in Kentucky WBB's 66-57 loss at Ole Miss

Kentucky moved into the Top 10 of the AP Poll for the first time in four years on Monday, cementing themselves amongst the upper echelon of the best teams in the country, and the Cats would be put to the task to defend that ranking as they took on a very formidable Ole Miss team down in Oxford.

However, Kentucky fell to the Rebels 66-57 as they moved to 19-3 (8-2 SEC) on the year.

When the ball was tipped, Kentucky was firing from the field as it made 10 of its first 15 shots (67%) to start the game. Poor rebounding on the defensive side of the ball was keeping Ole Miss in the game for the most part, and it was 22-18 Cats through one.

The second quarter was much of the same, but Georgia Amoore would pick up her second foul with 5:15 to go in the first half, and Kenny Brooks had to make some adjustments to get to the break with a lead. Teonni Key and Clara Strack would propel the Cats to a six-point, 37-31 lead through two.

Key and Strack combined for 29 points on 13-26 (3-6 3PT) shooting. Strack had five blocks in the first half alone, ending with eight on the night — a UK record. The front court duo also recorded a total of 20 rebounds as well.

The third quarter, however, told a different story. After getting out to a 45-37 lead, Kentucky would go cold to end the third quarter, and after starting the game 0-11 from three-point range, Ole Miss would finally cash in from deep as the Rebels took a 48-47 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Kentucky failed to pulled it off in the end, the Rebels outscoring the Cats 18-10 in the final quarter of play to seal the win.

This game set up a date with No. 3 Texas (24-2, 10-1 SEC) in Historic Memorial Coliseum that could end up ultimately having massive SEC Tournament implications. The Cats and Longhorns will square off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN 2 on Thursday.