Kentucky WBB showing improvements despite losing streak

Kentucky women’s basketball has lost five-straight games. Kentucky has gotten substantially better during that stretch. These two sentences shouldn’t be able to co-exist, but they do.

In UK’s 95-66 loss to South Carolina on Thursday evening, the ‘Cats played the Gamecocks far closer than the final score indicates. At their best, Kentucky took a 29-21 lead over South Carolina in the second quarter, the biggest lead any SEC opponent has had on the Gamecocks this season. UK entered the fourth frame only down by eight points before its opponent slipped out of reach.

A vital lesson in a painful loss

Head coach Kyra Elzy doesn’t want moral victories, but she can’t deny her ‘Cats had one against the top team in the nation.

“For three quarters against the number one team in the country, you showed what you were made of,” Elzy recalled of her postgame talk with her team. “That type of heart, intensity and I thought that was the most confidence we have played with. We can take those into our next games and learn from our experiences.”

Kentucky’s control group

While the notion is nice, it’s difficult to claim a team has improved when they lose by 29 points. However, one vital comparison gives this claim validity. On Jan. 1, Kentucky took the hardwood against Arkansas without leading scorer Robyn Benton. The ‘Cats looked like a car trying to run without its engine.

Maddie Scherr and Jada Walker each failed to shoot above 50% from the field. Moreover, the duo combined for 12 turnovers in the 21-point loss. Cut to Thursday night. Just three minutes into the contest, Benton stomped to the bench with two fouls.

This time, the ‘Cats ran like racecars on jet fuel. Scherr and Walker exploded in the first half against South Carolina for a combined 28 points on 12-19 shooting. Additionally, the pair only committed one turnover. Scherr believes the difference was mental.

🔥🔥🔥#GameOn pic.twitter.com/3PsdWvCSyt

— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) January 13, 2023

Maddie Scherr on improvements

“I know that they’re going to fall eventually. That’s what happens you know, just keep shooting it. I had all the encouragement from my coaches and teammates to keep shooting the ball. So that’s what really got me there,” Scherr said following the loss.

While some might point toward Benton’s absence as an opportunity for Scherr to score more, the junior guard doesn’t agree.

“Could have been different if Robyn was in there too, if anything, I think probably I would have more opportunity if Robyn was in too,” Scherr added.

Elzy acknowledged the team’s advances after the contest.

“A couple of games ago, we couldn’t stay together offensively, and we held the rope while [Benton] was out. So, that is progress.”

Kentucky’s progress will be put to the test on Sunday when the ‘Cats face off against Florida at 3 p.m. on Sunday. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.