FINAL: Kentucky WBB gets much-needed 67-55 win over Auburn
After losing four straight games, Kentucky is back in the win column.
On Tuesday night, the ‘Cats (9-7) narrowly defeated the Auburn Tigers (8-10) in a 67-55 barnburner. The win is Kentucky’s first since Jan. 6. In fairness, Kentucky hasn’t had the best luck lately.
Kentucky was without their second-leading scorer and leading rebounder Dre’Una Edwards for the third game in a row. To pile on, UK was missing sharpshooting senior Robyn Benton.
Nonetheless, Rhyne Howard, as usual, saved the day. The Wildcat star dropped 29 points and eight rebounds. Moreover, Howard shot 9-21 from the field and 5-12 from beyond the arc. Howard only sat one minute for the ‘Cats.
As a team, Kentucky went 38% from the field and 33% from deep. In addition, the ‘Cats shot a respectable 10-12 from the charity stripe.
Although Auburn is winless in the SEC, Kentucky needed any possible victory. Here’s how the ‘Cats got back on track on Tuesday night.
Hot start for Kentucky WBB
It didn’t take long for Howard to get going. The 6-foot-2 guard made her first three shots, scoring seven points in the first frame. Howard’s hot hand was contagious. Over just five minutes, Kentucky went on a 14-3 run.
Auburn’s night wasn’t going nearly as well. In the opening period, the Tigers shot a poor 3-13 from the field. Clearly, Kentucky’s zone was causing issues. Auburn concluded the quarter with six turnovers.
Kentucky strolled into the second frame with a comfortable 20-10 lead.
The ‘Cats cool down
Kentucky’s pretty start didn’t carry over into the second quarter. After Jada Walker and Howard began the quarter with back-to-back 3-pointers, Kentucky went scoreless for five minutes.
In the second period, UK shot 3-18 (17%) from the field and, at one point, missed 10 straight field goals. Luckily for the ‘Cats, Auburn wasn’t much better.
The Tigers made just three of their 13 second-period shot attempts. Moreover, Auburn choked away another five possessions, bringing their first-half total up to 11 turnovers. Despite UK’s hideous second frame, they went into the halftime break ahead 29-23.
Lethargic third for Kentucky WBB
Kentucky’s lack of urgency started to catch up to them in the third period. Auburn continued to chip away at UK’s lead, outscoring the ‘Cats 17-12 in the frame.
Howard didn’t do much to combat Auburn’s surge. The reigning SEC Player of the Year was scoreless in the quarter and only shot three times. In fact, Kentucky’s leading scorer in the third period was Emma King.
The Kentucky native scored six points in the frame, with no other ‘Cat recording more than two points. After another ugly 10 minutes, Kentucky went into the final frame with a narrow 41-40 lead.
3-pointers carry the ‘Cats to victory
Kentucky found its rhythm at just the right time. After Auburn took its first lead of the night with 7:48 left in the game, Howard came to life. The legendary Wildcat drained two-straight buckets from deep to retake the lead.
Kentucky never looked back. Jazmine Massengill followed up Howard’s sharpshooting with a 3-pointer of her own. UK closed out the contest on a 17-2 run. Howard concluded the frame with 17 points.
Fueled by their star’s performance, Kentucky defeated the Tigers 67-55. Not only is the victory Kentucky’s first since Jan. 6, but also UK’s first road win all season.
In the win, the ‘Cats dished out 12 assists; their first time reaching double-digit assists since their loss at South Carolina. Additionally, Kentucky grabbed six more offensive boards than the Tigers. Accordingly, UK nearly doubled Auburn’s second-chance points.
For the second game in a row, King was Kentucky’s pleasant surprise. The 6-foot guard recorded 10 points, four rebounds and three assists. Massengill added 11 points of her own.
Kentucky won’t have too long to soak in their long-awaited victory. Kentucky plays against Vanderbilt on Thursday at 8 p.m. EST. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network+.
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