FINAL: Kentucky WBB can't break streak in 86-72 loss to Louisville
Despite a new team, a better record and higher expectations, the outcome was the same. Kentucky women’s basketball fell to the Louisville Cardinals.
On Sunday afternoon, Louisville (7-4) handily defeated Kentucky (7-2) 86-72 in Rupp Arena. The loss is Kentucky’s sixth straight to the Cardinals. The Wildcats struggled to find their shooting rhythm in the contest. On the day, UK shot 28-66 (42%) from the field and 6-16 (38%) from beyond the arc.
Robyn Benton and Maddie Scherr were the only two players who scored double figures for Kentucky. Scherr led the charge with 18 points, five rebounds and six assists while connecting on six of her 10 attempts from the field. Not to be outdone, Benton added 20 points on 8-18 shooting.
Although Louisville fell out of the AP Top 25 last week, they still had Kentucky’s number today, and they let them know from the start.
Kentucky’s first-half woes
It took about two minutes for BBN to remember why Kentucky hasn’t defeated Louisville in seven years. With their elite coach, the Cardinals recruit elite talent; elite talent that towers over the ‘Cats. In the first half, Louisville had six blocks compared to Kentucky’s zero. To pile on, the Cardinals had twice as many first-half points in the paint.
When Kentucky successfully fired their shots over the outreached fingertips of the Cardinals, they rarely found the net. The Wildcats shot 10-33 (30%) from the field in the first 20 minutes of the contest. Kentucky’s top scorer reflected the team’s totals. Robyn Benton led the ‘Cats with eight points on 3-10 shooting in the first half.
When Kentucky’s offense has stalled this season, their defense has saved them. However, this wasn’t the case on Sunday afternoon. The ‘Cats only forced seven Louisville turnovers through the first two quarters. Kentucky trailed the Cardinals 42-25 at the halftime break.
When it rains, it pours
If you were hoping to read about a second-half miracle, I’ve got bad news. Despite a third-quarter run from the ‘Cats and several strings of turnovers from Louisville, the ‘Cats never brought the game within single digits.
Free throws were a pivotal part of this outcome. Both teams lived at the charity stripe, and one team took advantage. Louisville converted on 33 of their 39 attempts from the free-throw line in the contest. Meanwhile, the ‘Cats hit just 10 of their 21 attempts from the stripe.
Of course, free throws weren’t the only reason for a 14-point loss. Louisville won the battle of the boards, snagging nine more rebounds than Kentucky. While Kentucky never gave up in the battle, they lost the war 86-72.
Kentucky will take the defeat in stride as their next opponent will be Murray State on Dec. 16. UK will face the in-state opponent in Memorial Coliseum and the game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.
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