How one technical foul fueled Kentucky WBB's loss to Missouri

When people hear the phrase “game-changing moment,” they think of a halfcourt heave or perhaps a last-second charge. Typically, a seemingly meaningless technical foul in the second quarter doesn’t come to mind. But if you watched Kentucky’s loss to Missouri on Thursday night, it will.

The Robyn Benton play

With just over seven minutes left in the second period on Thursday night, Robyn Benton took a tough 3-pointer from deep in the right corner. The shot didn’t even find the rim. After a Missouri player grabbed the ball off the backboard, the Tigers flew past UK in the opposite direction.

Every ‘Cat stood helpless, every ‘Cat except Benton. With a bit of extra motivation from her horribly missed deep ball, Benton raced back on defense. Like an all-star strong safety, Benton chased down her opponent and grab-blocked Missouri leader Lauren Hansen’s layup.

No shortage of fight.

Back to work. pic.twitter.com/a8EOse9Nii

— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) December 30, 2022

There’s a reason Benton’s coaches and teammates refer to her as “Showtime.” After the nasty block, Benton mean-mugged the cameraman on the baseline, soaking in the moment. However, her glory was cut short when the official blew their whistle and called a technical foul on Benton.

The team, fans, and Benton were understandably shocked. The play wasn’t dirty, and Benton didn’t talk trash to Hansen or acknowledge the referees. Yet, they called foul, and Kentucky suffered the consequences.

The effect

When Benton committed the technical foul, the ‘Cats led Missouri 23-17. When the buzzer sounded for the halftime break, Kentucky trailed the Tigers 39-30. They never retook the lead. Of course, Benton’s violation didn’t cost the ‘Cats the game, but it definitely didn’t help them.

It doesn’t take a lot of digging to prove this theory. Kentucky had one of their best starts of the season, outscoring Mizzou 19-10 in the first frame while shooting 33% from beyond the arc. The second quarter was drastically different.

BEEZZYYYY!!! 🎰

A couple of 3-pointers from the grad, and the Cats are up early.

1Q (4:24) | 12-4, Kentucky pic.twitter.com/jAif5bdH7G

— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) December 30, 2022

UK shot 3-14 from the field and 1-5 from 3-point range in the period. Any momentum the team had was gone, and by the time they rediscovered their rhythm, it was too late. Facing down SEC opponents the rest of the season, Kentucky can’t allow these lapses.

“We’re not happy. We did not get the outcome that we wanted,” head coach Kyra Elzy said after the loss to Missouri. “I did think we competed, but, at the end of the day, there are some things that we need to clean up in order to be on the other side of victory.”

Kentucky will have another chance for victory on Sunday at 2 p.m. when they face off against Arkansas inside Memorial Coliseum. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network+.