Kentucky WBB drops SEC opener to Missouri in 74-71 nailbiter

Missouri hasn’t been kind to Kentucky this week.

On Thursday, the Missouri Tigers (12-2) defeated the Wildcats (8-5) women’s basketball team 74-71 in a late-night battle. The contest is UK’s fourth loss over its past five games. Additionally, the game was Kentucky’s first taste of Southeastern Conference play this season.

That one stung.

Kentucky outscored Missouri in three of four quarters, as UK falls to UM, 74-71, on the road. pic.twitter.com/rcjli1L94i

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

Robyn Benton led the ‘Cats with 22 points while shooting 5-14 from the field and 10-11 from the charity stripe. Benton has scored in double figures every game this season and leads the ‘Cats with 16.5 points per outing.

As a team, Kentucky connected on 24-60 (40%) of its shots while shooting an improved 10-26 (38%) from downtown. Additionally, the ‘Cats forced 25 Missouri turnovers and recorded 36 points off the Tigers’ mistakes. Kentucky’s numbers were good, but Missouri’s were better.

Back-and-forth first half

Kentucky burst out of the starting gates. The ‘Cats began the game on a 7-2 run, fueled by two Blair Green 3-point buckets. Green was 9-39 from deep on the season going into Missouri, but she hit a pair of timely shots early.

UK’s defense boosted their offense. Kentucky was everywhere in the first period, forcing six Tigers turnovers in only 10 minutes. The second quarter didn’t go quite as well for the ‘Cats, though.

With just over seven minutes remaining in the second quarter, Benton picked up a technical foul after staring down a cameraman following a highlight block. Missouri converted the technical free throw to cut the deficit to 23-18.

Over the next seven minutes, Missouri outscored the ‘Cats 21-7 to take a commanding 39-30 lead into halftime. But Benton refused to slip quietly into submission. The veteran ‘Cat came out of the break hot, dropping two 3-pointers in the third frame and eight points total.

Kentucky can’t close

Benton can do a lot, but she can’t save the ‘Cats on the glass. Missouri outrebounded Kentucky 41-27 and, consequently, had nearly four times as many second-chance points as UK. The ‘Cats only have themselves to blame.

TIED GAME. 😆

66-66 with 2:56 on the clock. pic.twitter.com/RXzmqgjNmc

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

The team’s leading rebounder, Ajae Petty, only played five minutes in the contest. Despite the self-inflicted handicap, Kentucky gave Missouri a run for its money. With 3:13 remaining in the contest, the two squads were tied at 66 points.

Unfortunately for the ‘Cats, they couldn’t claw out a victory. After a few foolish plays and a couple of missed shots down the stretch, Kentucky fell to the Tigers 74-71. UK has two days to recover as the squad will face Arkansas at 2 p.m. on New Year’s day in Memorial Coliseum. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network+.