Kentucky WBB Routed 67-48 by No. 7 LSU in Rupp Arena

The Wildcats looked promising after bouncing back from a five-to-nothing run straight out of the gate, but a lack of scoring led to another disheartening defeat at home.

On Sunday afternoon in Rupp Arena, Kentucky women’s basketball (8-8; 0-4 SEC) lost in another blowout game, this time to the No. 7 LSU Tigers (16-0; 4-0 SEC) by a final score of 67-48.

Maddie Scherr led the Wildcats in scoring with 22 points and Robyn Benton followed with 11. Kentucky shot 34.5% from the field while LSU shot 40%. Flau’jae Johnson and Angel Reese led the Tigers with 26 points each.

Kentucky falls to No. 7/6 LSU. pic.twitter.com/S4iS58S407

— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) January 8, 2023

Turnover struggles on both sides

Neither team was able to hold possession for too long in the first quarter as UK tallied seven turnovers compared to the Tigers’ six. This disrupted Kentucky’s flow and they ended the quarter on a two-minute scoring drought where they were down 17-12.

Unfortunately for Kentucky, the second quarter seemed to be the same old story that the ‘Cats have been running into all season.

UK, which averages over 16 turnovers a game so far this season, could not overcome the hump that had been created as they finished the first half with 10 miscues. Although the Tigers ran up the score going into the half, they also had their fair share of turnovers tallying more than the ‘Cats with 12 at the break.

Second quarter sorrows for Cats

Down 17-12 coming into the second quarter, UK was only able to score five points compared to the Tigers’ 14. Kentucky ended the half on a five-plus-minute scoring drought and went into the locker room down 31-17. The ‘Cats finished the second quarter shooting 1-13 from the field.

Nyah Leveretter was a bright spot for UK as she had four rebounds in the first half. She also was able to hold LSU star Angel Reese, who is averaging over 20 points and 15 rebounds, to only eight and five at the end of the opening half.

Odds are not forever in the Wildcats’ favor

After heading into the locker room on a five-minute scoring drought, Benton was able to find a quick two right out of the gate for the ‘Cats.

Although this gave some light to the darkness that loomed over Kentucky after the first half, it was not there for long. UK was only able to score eight more points after Benton’s first shot of the second half.

Scoring troubles were not the only problem that Kentucky faced in the third quarter as LSU freshman Flau’jae Johnson and sophomore Angel Reese each scored double figures with 11 and 10, respectively. Both were able to drive and finish with Leveretter and Adebola Adeyeye, Kentucky’s main inside threats, out on the bench with four fouls each.

Not to mention, the turnovers continued to stack up against the ‘Cats as they added another seven to the 10 that they had already accumulated in the first half. With all odds against their favor, Kentucky went into the final quarter down 54-27.

Nothing new came from the fourth quarter besides Scherr lighting it up with nine points. Too deep of a hole had already been dug by the ‘Cats in the first three quarters for them to get out of it in the final quarter.

With the lack of scoring and 25 turnovers, UK found their fourth straight loss and are 0-4 in SEC play so far in the season.

Next up Kentucky faces undefeated No. 1 South Carolina at Memorial Coliseum on Thursday, Jan. 12 at 7:00 p.m. EST on the SEC Network+.