RECAP: Kentucky WBB dominates USC Upstate in 67-44 victory
It’s been a wonderful weekend for Wildcats fans. Kentucky Women’s Basketball made sure to keep the good times rolling.
On Sunday afternoon, the No. 19 Wildcats (7-3) handily defeated the USC Upstate Spartans (7-3) 67-44. The contest was Kentucky’s first since their loss against Louisville on Dec. 12. Although Kentucky had a week to rest, they were missing one of their star players: Robyn Benton. Kentucky’s third-leading scorer sat out today due to a day-to-day ankle injury.
Without Benton, UK just had to rely on two-time SEC Player of the Year Rhyne Howard. The 6-foot-2 guard led the ‘Cats with 22 points, three rebounds and four assists. Howard was impressive, but not efficient. The Kentucky legend was 8-18 from the field and 1-6 from deep.
As a squad, UK made 40% of their shot attempts and shot 25% from beyond the arc. More importantly, the ‘Cats did the dirty work. The team forced 27 Spartan turnovers and more than doubled USC Upstate’s offensive rebounding total.
Sluggish start for Kentucky WBB
Early in the contest, Kentucky’s week off was noticeable in all the wrong ways. USC Upstate began the game on a 7-0 run powered by three Kentucky turnovers. The Wildcats’ slow start was just the beginning.
In the opening quarter, Kentucky went 2-15 from the field. To make matters worse, Kentucky’s star Howard wasn’t doing her team any favors. The Wildcat missed all five of her shot attempts in the period, four of which were from beyond the arc.
Second-year head coach Kyra Elzy spoke on Kentucky’s problematic first period after the game.
“We started off slow. I thought we took some quick shots offensively and did not get in rhythm and just didn’t have the intensity that we needed defensively,” Elzy said in the postgame press conference.
Despite tying a program record for least points scored in a quarter, Kentucky escaped the first 10 minutes of the contest only trailing by single digits, 14-5.
Dre’Una Edwards shows up
Kentucky awoke from their week-long slumber in the second frame. The ‘Cats rattled off an 11-0 run to tie the game at 16 points. UK’s source for their sudden energy was their defense. The ‘Cats forced nine Spartan turnovers in the period and scored 12 points from USC Upstate’s mistakes.
While the team was starting to awake from their slumber, Dre’Una Edwards was up and running. The 6-foot-2 forward grabbed eight rebounds in just the second frame. With the help of their ravenous rebounder, Kentucky secured their first lead of the game with 2:55 left in the half. Kentucky entered halftime with a narrow 26-23 lead.
Thrilling third Q for Kentucky WBB
Although the ‘Cats were electric in the third period, they began the second half static. Things looked familiar when Kentucky’s stagnant offense couldn’t find success. With 4:34 left in the third quarter, Kentucky was only ahead 34-28. Then, they flipped a switch.
Kentucky proceeded to go on an 18-0 run, powered by seven Spartan turnovers in just four and a half minutes. Everybody was finding their stride.
Howard scored seven straight points with a smile. Olivia Owens converted a fancy and-one before taking a charge on the other end. To top it off, Jazmine Massengill sunk a buzzer-beating jumper to extend the ‘Cats lead to 54-30.
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Elzy, for one, was satisfied with her senior point guard’s performance.
“Jazmine Massengill led us out [of the deficit]. She was leading on the bench, but what she did at the top of our press — I thought she really forced them to play really fast,” Elzy said.
In total, Kentucky ran off 20 points in essentially four minutes. In other words, USC Upstate’s upset hopes had been squashed in a matter of moments.
The finishing touches
For any chance of a comeback victory, the Spartans would need a Christmas miracle. Unfortunately for USC Upstate, there wouldn’t be any winter wonders on Sunday afternoon.
Kentucky continued their defensive dominance, causing four USC Upstate turnovers in just two and a half minutes. Additionally, the ‘Cats were finding inspired performances from unexpected sources.
Olivia Owens truly shined for Kentucky in the final period. The 6-foot-4 center finished the game with seven points and eight rebounds in just 20 minutes of play. The redshirt junior has continued to improve this season and showed on Sunday she can be a serious contributor heading into conference play.
When the final buzzer sounded, Kentucky comfortably defeated Upstate 67-44. Not even the Spartans could stand against Kentucky’s deadly defense. The ‘Cats scored 38 points off turnovers. To pile on, Kentucky got back in their passing rhythm, recording 19 assists on the day.
Although UK was led by Howard, she wasn’t the only ‘Cat putting on a show. Kentucky had three other players score double digits. In her second start of the season, freshman Jada Walker record 13 points. Contributing to the cause, Edwards and Massengill added a combined 22 points.
Here’s to hoping the ‘Cats enjoyed this contest because there won’t be many more like them in the future. Kentucky will have 11 days to prepare for their next game against Auburn, beginning conference play. Everyone should enjoy their holiday break because no gift-wrapped games lie ahead. The SEC gauntlet opens on Dec. 30 against the Tigers in Auburn Arena.
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