RECAP: Kentucky WBB suffers first loss of season to No. 8 Indiana 88-67
Despite Kentucky Women’s Basketball’s best efforts, Sunday belonged to the Hoosiers. The No. 13 ‘Cats fell to the No. 8 Indiana Hoosiers in a blowout 88-67 loss this evening. The humbling defeat was the ‘Cats first loss of the season, making their record 2-1.
Kentucky was led by Rhyne Howard, who recorded 23 points and nine rebounds. Mackenzie Holmes led the charge for the Hoosiers, dropping a career-high 29 points and seven boards. Here’s how the ‘Cats found themselves at the end of a stunning loss.
Mackenzie Holmes owns the first quarter
While the ‘Cats entered the game worried about the Hoosiers, they should’ve been worried about Holmes. Indiana’s star forward immediately elevated her team past the ‘Cats with shot after shot. In just seven minutes played, the 6-foot-3 forward dropped 13 points on a perfect 6-6 shooting.
Elzy gave props to Indiana’s standout player after the game.
“Our game plan was to bring the double. We did not push her out. I thought we let her get too deep in the paint,” Elzy said. “At the end of the day, we weren’t physical enough, too deep in the paint and she made us pay.”
Kentucky wasn’t excelling on defense, but they were finding major success on the boards. In the first 10 minutes, the ‘Cats snagged six offensive rebounds. Kentucky was outsized in height, but they refused to be outsized in hustle.
Nevertheless, hustle can only take you so far. With not a single ‘Cat finding more than five points in the quarter, Indiana went into the second frame with a 20-14 lead.
Kentucky WBB shows promise in second frame
The second period was the best 10 minutes of the night for the ‘Cats and it wasn’t very close. From the beginning of the quarter, Kentucky gradually chipped away Indiana’s lead. Forcing three Indiana turnovers in just over a minute, Kentucky finally tied up the contest at 25 points.
Though things were starting to look up for the ‘Cats, fouls were holding them down. Rhyne Howard, Dre’Una Edwards and Olivia Owens each had two fouls only halfway through the period. With only eight scholarship players available, Kentucky desperately needed help.
Freshman Jada Walker was just the ‘Cat for the job. Walker exploded in the second quarter for 10 points. From taking charges to converting tough finishes in the lane, Walker was seemingly everywhere.
Elzy discussed the 5-foot-7 guard’s standout performance after the game.
“Jada was a spark off the bench,” Elzy said. “As a freshman, I thought she played fearless and her future is really bright.”
Sadly for the Wildcats, not even Walker’s nearly superhuman performance could singlehandedly outplay the Hoosiers. The ‘Cats were only able to match Indiana’s point total for the quarter and were demoralized by a half-court buzzer-beater from IU star Grace Berger.
Indiana went into the half with a 38-32 lead.
Foul trouble haunts ‘Cats in third quarter
Much to BBN’s chagrin, Kentucky’s foul issues weren’t going anywhere in the second half. Only two minutes into the third period, Edwards picked up her third foul.
But while Edwards’ was being brought to a halt, Howard was off to the races.
Just three minutes into the quarter, Howard had outscored her first-half total of eight points. As if it was clockwork, the third period was quickly starting to look like “Rhyne Time.” Unfortunately for Howard, Indiana seemingly knew how to hit the snooze button on her timely offensive explosion.
The Hoosiers rattled off seven unanswered points to take a nine-point lead. Indiana’s sudden run of scoring was largely due to their focus on fastbreak buckets. For every point Howard would score, the Hoosiers would find two. Kentucky’s overstretched roster was getting to them and Indiana knew it.
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Here’s what Howard had to say about the Hoosiers’ clever second-half scheme.
”That just comes back to lack of focus,” Howard said in the postgame press conference. “We’re supposed to be getting back on misses, but a lot of times we’re just harassing the rebounder and watching them run down the court.”
Sadly for BBN, Kentucky’s focus didn’t get any better in the final frame.
Kentucky WBB falls in the fourth
While Kentucky Women’s Basketball never gave up, neither did the Hoosiers. Indiana closed out the ‘Cats with an efficient team effort. The Hoosiers shot 61% for the period, while Kentucky only made 33% of their attempts.
With each cheer from Assembly Hall, the ‘Cats grew more demoralized. Howard was starting to put her head down, Jazmine Massengill was growing upset and more fouls were piling up. By the end of the contest, half of Kentucky’s team had four fouls.
After what seemed like an eternity, the period finally came to a close and Indiana walked off the court with an 88-67 victory. On the game, the ‘Cats shot a mediocre 42% from the field, 31% from beyond the arc and 60% from the free-throw line.
Additionally, the ‘Cats failed to meet their goal of four players scoring double digits. Only Howard, Walker and Robyn Benton reached Elzy’s offensive goal.
Meanwhile, Indiana had four players tally double-digit scoring figures; three of which scored more than 15 points. When looking at the numbers, it’s clear: the ‘Cats were out-classed.
Reflecting on Kentucky WBB’s first loss
Although the Wildcats loss to Indiana is painful, it’s understandable. The contest was the ‘Cats third game in just six days. With just eight scholarship players on the roster, Kentucky’s fatigue was expected.
Furthermore, the final score being a 20-point blowout doesn’t reflect the true nature of the game. The ‘Cats were on the heels of the Hoosiers until the end of the third period. Even then, the team was held back by untimely fouls.
Though nobody wants to take a loss, it’s better for it to happen in November than March. The ‘Cats have lots to improve upon, but they have even more time. To truly improve, Sunday evening’s loss will have to serve as motivation, not devastation, for the ‘Cats.
Kentucky has a well-earned break ahead of them before their next contest. The team will be off for a week before taking on Winthrop at home on Nov. 21. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on SEC Network+.
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