Amiya Jenkins leads Kentucky WBB in scoring to help secure win against ETSU

PStevensKSR

Tuesday night, the Kentucky women’s basketball team beat the ETSU Buccaneers 74-66 in order to secure Kyra Elzy’s 50th career win to tip off the 50th anniversary season. For the most part early on, the ‘Cats struggled to get things going, but late in the game, Kentucky came through to get in the win column.

One of the more under-appreciated players on the team heading into the season was sophomore guard Amiya Jenkins. However, after the season opener, it should be safe to say that Jenkins will be a much-needed piece to the puzzle in 2023-24.

Being a “vital weapon” for the team

After the Kentucky State exhibition, Kyra Elzy spoke with the media postgame to discuss what had occurred against the Thorobreds. KSR got the chance to ask Elzy about what it means to have someone like Amiya Jenkins to count on, and Elzy spoke highly of the four-star recruit.

“Her ability to score, she can get downhill and finish at the rim with the best of them. Her ability to play multiple positions, offensively and defensively makes her a vital weapon for this team,” Elzy said. She added to her praise, saying, “Excited about her. I thought she came on at the end of last year, and she continues into this year.”

Against Kentucky State, it was clear that Jenkins had made great strides in her game since her freshman campaign, but it was in the season-opener against ETSU that Jenkins really showed the world what she was capable of. Jenkins made the starting five, and deservedly so. Time and time again, Kentucky could go to her when they needed a big play.

Impacting every phase of the game

ETSU was simply not able to contain Jenkins throughout the entirety of the game. Her final stat line consisted of a team-leading 16 points, shooting a very efficient 5-7 (71.4%) from the field. Jenkins also finished with four rebounds and a steal as well in 34 minutes of action. Another part of her performance that may get overlooked is her free throws.

Jenkins shot 6-10 from the free throw line during the game. Now, you’d obviously like to see her make a couple more of those, but here’s the part that people may skip past. ETSU had the momentum through the first 2.5 quarters of play, but what kept Kentucky in the game? Amiya Jenkins.

Over and over again, Jenkins would draw a foul to slow down ETSU when they got rolling. It was like when a coach calls a timeout on the bad end of a run. However, Jenkins was actually scoring crucial points from the charity stripe while getting ETSU in foul trouble. Then, after a Saniah Tyler three-pointer, it was Jenkins who converted on the game-altering and-one as the third quarter came to a close. The Lady ‘Cats wouldn’t really ever look back from that point on.

“I thought MiMi Jenkins came up big for us today,” Elzy said postgame. “Her ability to drive to the rim and finish with contact. I thought when we didn’t have anything going, her finishing around the rim was huge for us. But also her defense. She was able to guard the one through the four, which helps us. When we went small, I thought she made some big plays for us defensively.”

Elzy had more good things to say about Amiya Jenkins following the win against ETSU. In addition, Jenkins and senior guard Maddie Scherr discussed their thoughts on the game. Catch all of that and more below: