Kentucky WBB's crazy comeback is a much-needed morale boost
Kentucky Women’s Basketball has been through the wringer this season. Tuesday night’s victory was a nice break from a year riddled with adversity.
On Tuesday, Kentucky WBB pulled off their 11th largest comeback in program history to defeat Mississippi State 81-74. With 7:10 left in the contest, the ‘Cats trailed Mississippi State 72-57. Then, magic happened. UK went on a 24-2 run to secure a stunning victory.
Kyra Elzy on the importance of the win
Kentucky celebrated their win accordingly. The ‘Cats soaked head coach Kyra Elzy with a bucket of water in the locker room. Elzy walked into the postgame press conference with a new, dry outfit and a smile on her face. The second-year head coach gave her account of the postgame antics.
“It was great to celebrate. You know, I was going to run in and do something for them but, as soon as I opened the door, they drenched me, every one of them,” Elzy said. “We were all locked in. We were in this together. So, it’s great to come out with a victory.”
Kentucky desperately needed the morale boost. Kentucky went on a three-week stretch without having more than eight available players. Not only has the team struggled off the court, but on it as well.
The ‘Cats had not come out on top of any tight contest this season. Within the past month, UK has lost to Vanderbilt, LSU and Texas A&M all by single digits. Kentucky was overdue for a big win.
Kentucky WBB’s players on what the win means to them
Elzy wasn’t the only one encouraged by the wild win. Dre’Una Edwards, who led the team with 23 points and 10 rebounds, gave her thoughts on the team’s future after the game.
“We got nothing to lose. So, we just go out there and we fight. We’re dogs now, it’s way different. It’s just a better mentality overall,” Dre’Una Edwards said. “It ain’t about the team we were in December or January, it’s about the team in February and March.”
With four games left in the regular season, March is quickly approaching the ‘Cats. The team is in dangerous territory as they are not projected to make the NCAA Tournament. Nonetheless, the ‘Cats are focused on the details.
One detail that stood out to Rhyne Howard was the fan’s impact on Tuesday night’s game. Although there were only 3,688 fans in attendance, their roars reminded the ‘Cats why they play.
“It was just great to know that our fans are still with us. After everything we’ve been through this year, and they just added more fuel to the fire,” Howard said postgame. “We knew they were with us, so we had to go out there and get the win.”
Kentucky will need all the support it can get as it finishes its season with a gauntlet of games. Tuesday night’s contest was UK’s second of a four-game, week-long stretch.
The ‘Cats will have one day to recover from the exhilarating win before taking on Vanderbilt on Thursday at 7 p.m. in Memorial Coliseum. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network+.
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