Kentucky WBB sets new record for three-pointers in 91-69 win over Mississippi State

On Thursday night, No. 16 Kentucky Women’s Basketball opened the New Year (and SEC play) with a win over Mississippi State. Big Blue Nation brought the energy, and the ‘Cats brought the momentum. Thanks to an (almost) full Memorial Coliseum, Kentucky was able to pull out a win over the Bulldogs and start 1-0 in SEC play.

To start the matchup, the ‘Cats came out hot to lead the first quarter, 25-16. Thanks to nine points from Dazia Lawrence and eight from Georgia Amoore, Kentucky was on pace to drop 100. The ‘Cats stepped on the gas from tip-off, and didn’t look back once. Mississippi State’s Denim DeShields and Destiney McPhaul scored five points apiece to start the game, but neither scored again until five minutes into the fourth quarter.

Dazia and Georgia are DANGEROUS today. 17 combined points in the first quarter. 😳😳😳

Kentucky 23 | Mississippi State 16 | 1:09 1Q

— Katie Hutchison (@KHutchisonKSR) January 3, 2025

Wildcat-turned-Bulldog Eniya Russell was welcomed back to Lexington with a blocked layup by Teonni Key. The Mississippi State transfer finished today’s matchup with 13 points on 5-15 (33%) from the field. She also added six rebounds, two assists, and a steal.

During the second, Kentucky continued its hot streak. Georgia Amoore and Dazia Lawrence proved how lethal of a pair they can be. After a beautiful transition three by Amoore midway through the quarter, the Bulldogs called a timeout, and the ‘Cats were up 14 points.

For the remainder of the second, Eniya Russell and Jerkaila Jordan led scoring for the Bulldogs, totaling a combined 14 points. However, that didn’t stop the ‘Cats from extending their lead. With about a minute to go, the ‘Cats went up 17 with a three from Saniah Tyler. While she hadn’t been seeing the court much for the first half of the season, Tyler proved herself in a win over WKU, and again against the Bulldogs. At the half, Kentucky was up 14 points, 49-35.

To start the third, the ‘Cats jumped out to a 20-point lead over Mississippi State. After a quick timeout, Kentucky returned to the floor with the same momentum, continuing to grow the lead. At one point, Kentucky was up 25. A 12-4 run by Mississippi State ended when Georgia Amoore silenced the Bulldogs with her fifth three-pointer of the night. Thankfully, Kentucky secured a 16-point lead heading into the final 10 minutes.

Two minutes into the fourth quarter, Lawrence drained her sixth and seventh three-pointers of the night. Lawrence finished with 28 points on 8-12 FG (7-11 3FG), along with three assists. After a three from Amoore to go up 21, it seemed like Kentucky had put the nails in the coffin. Additionally, that three gave this Kentucky team the program record for three-pointers made in a single game (17). The ‘Cats would go on to finish with 18 threes on the night.

Thursday’s win also was the first time two Kentucky Women’s Basketball players have scored seven three-pointers each in a game (Amoore and Lawrence). Amoore finished the matchup with 27 points on 9-18 FG (7-10 3FG), along with nine assists.

The three by Georgia Amoore that gave this Kentucky WBB team a new program record. 17 three-pointers and counting!pic.twitter.com/04QolTtqxu

— Katie Hutchison (@KHutchisonKSR) January 3, 2025

Despite the historic performance, the only other Wildcats to finish in double-digits were Key and Amelia Hassett with 10 and 14 points, respectively. Above all, Thursday’s game was an excellent display of a team with good chemistry.

As a team, the ‘Cats shot 26-55 (47%) from the field and 18-33 (54%) from three. They also added 10 blocks: five from Clara Strack and four from Teonni Key, along with an additional block by Amelia Hassett.

Up next, Kentucky faces Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee. Tip-off is set for 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 5, and can be streamed on the SEC Network+.