RECAP: Kentucky WBB loses 64-58 heartbreaker to Louisville

It’s been a rough weekend for ‘Cats fans. Kentucky Women’s Basketball isn’t making things any easier.

On Sunday afternoon, the No. 14 Wildcats (6-3) suffered a heartbreaking loss at the hands of in-state rival No. 7 Louisville (8-1). The contest marks the fifth straight loss for Kentucky in the matchup, the first time that’s happened in the series history. Furthermore, the defeat is the second loss in a row for the ‘Cats.

Final score. pic.twitter.com/q20IqP1tk3

— Kentucky WBB (@KentuckyWBB) December 12, 2021

While Rhyne Howard was the only player with previous experience against the Cardinals, she wasn’t the leader for Kentucky. Star forward Dre’Una Edward made her presence known by dropping 14 points and 14 rebounds. The contest is Edwards’ first game back for the ‘Cats after a one-game suspension due to her failure to uphold the academic standards of the team.

While Edwards had a solid showing, the rest of the team can’t say the same. Kentucky was 39% from the field and 23% from beyond the arc. Even worse, Kentucky committed their season-high in turnovers with 21 on the day.

The 12,000-strong crowd at the KFC Yum! Center was the biggest audience the ‘Cats have played in front of this season and it showed from the start.

Slow start for Kentucky WBB

Rivalries bring out the best and the worst in teams. Unfortunately for ‘Cats fans, the latter was true for Kentucky throughout the first period. The team’s offense looked like they’d pulled an all-nighter, stumbling up and down the court. The ‘Cats committed six first-quarter turnovers.

Elzy gave credit to the Cardinal’s difficult defense.

“Louisville was really aggressive defensively. They made us play faster than we wanted to play. Some of them I thought were careless turnovers. Some I thought was from their pressure,” Elzy said.

The Wildcats’ defense wasn’t much better. In spite of some early rejections, the Cardinals were finding easy baskets. After going on a 7-0 run late in the period, Louisville strolled into the second quarter leading 19-13.

Fiery second frame

The second quarter was seemingly the Cardinals’ turn to suffer. Early in the period, Louisville senior Mysaka Robinson picked up a technical foul for shoving the ball in Howard’s direction. Awakened by the ugly exchange, Kentucky rattled off seven unanswered points.

Louisville’s luck wasn’t changing. The Cardinals picked up a second technical foul in the period after 6-foot-3 Olivia Cochran taunted Dre’Una Edwards after a mean rejection. While the calls were questionable, the ‘Cats weren’t complaining.

Edwards discussed her team’s tough mentality after the contest.

“We’re dogs and we’re going to continue to fight. We’re not going to lay down for nobody,” Edwards said.

Led by nine second-quarter points from Robyn Benton, Kentucky went into halftime ahead 33-32.

‘Cats can’t connect in third Q

Whatever defensive adjustment Louisville head coach Jeff Walz made during halftime, it worked. The ‘Cats were scoreless for the first six minutes of the second half. Thankfully, it appeared offense wasn’t as big of a focus during the Cardinals’ strategy session.

Louisville had their lowest-scoring quarter of the night with 12 points, shooting 5-16 from the field. Admittedly, this figure still stands far above Kentucky’s 1-13 shooting effort in the third frame.

Elzy stated after the game her team’s poor quarter could be traced back to fatigue.

“We got gassed in the third. We quit the back door cuts that we were making early,” Elzy said. “Due to fatigue, we were one shot and out, or we weren’t in the rebounding position.”

While Kentucky played perhaps their worst period of the season, they were entering the final frame with an amazing opportunity. Somehow, the ‘Cats made it into the fourth period only down 44-39.

Kentucky loses in nail-biting fashion

Early in the period, Kentucky’s good fortune continued. Cochran still hadn’t returned from a third-period collision, forcing the Cardinals to play a small lineup. The ‘Cats pounced on their wounded prey.

In a five-minute stretch, Kentucky ran off a 14-4 run to take the lead again for the first time since the half. Nonetheless, Kentucky’s surge was met with a harsh response from the Cardinals. Louisville rattled off a 6-0 run of their own to take a 59-54 lead with 1:41 left in the contest.

AND 1⃣ @IhoopDrea44

Kentucky – 47
Louisville – 49 pic.twitter.com/9nE5znwqOo

— Kentucky WBB (@KentuckyWBB) December 12, 2021

Despite a few fastbreak looks, the ‘Cats couldn’t catch back up with the Cardinals. To top it off, Howard received no call despite seemingly being fouled on a last-ditch effort 3-pointer. Elzy responded with a passionate outburst only to receive a technical foul and cement Kentucky’s loss. Despite Kentucky’s passionate final period, Louisville pulled out a 64-58 victory over the ‘Cats.

Kentucky’s scoring totals reflected the final score. Despite having four players averaging double-digit scoring totals on the season, only three ‘Cats reached that mark today. As mentioned previously, Edwards scored 14 points. Not to be outdone, Treasure Hunt added 14 points of her own. Finally, Robyn Benton contributed 13.

For the second game in a row, Rhyne Howard had a poor performance. The two-time SEC Player of the Year only scored nine points today, going 3-13 from the field.

Looking forward for Kentucky WBB

Kentucky has a lot to improve upon after losing two games straight. The ‘Cats will have adequate time to do so as the team has five days off before their next contest against Morgan State on Dec. 17.

While Kentucky’s performance was disappointing, it was simultaneously promising. Though Howard only had nine points, Kentucky was extremely close to beating one of the best teams in the country. With a few tweaks and repairs, the ‘Cats could be a well-oiled machine by March.