Kentucky WBB dominates Morehead State in 73-48 blowout
If the Kentucky women’s basketball team was still upset from their shockingly narrow victory over Radford on Monday, they got their anger out tonight.
On Friday evening, the ‘Cats crushed in-state opponent Morehead State 73-48. The contest was Kentucky’s annual Salute to Veterans Game. UK ensured the former and current military members watching were entertained.
Specifically, Maddie Scherr put on a show. The junior guard had a near triple-double, recording 14 points, nine assists and six rebounds. Moreover, Scherr was perfect from deep, shooting 4-4 from downtown. The guard had the highest +/- on the team with +28.
Although Scherr was fantastic, the win was a team effort. Kentucky had 11 players get in the scoring column. The ‘Cats shot 30-58 (52%) from the field and 10-23 (43%) from beyond the arc. The team’s pressure cooker defense was key, forcing 30 Morehead State turnovers.
Kentucky never trailed the Eagles on Friday, and the domination started the moment they took the court.
Wildcats catch fire in the first
From the opening tip, this one was never close. Kentucky rattled off 13 points before Morehead State blinked. The Eagles didn’t score until there were only three minutes left in the period. Impressive 3-point shooting was the catalyst for Kentucky’s offensive explosion.
Just five minutes into the contest, Kentucky was 3-5 from beyond the arc. For reference, UK shot a horrific 2-18 from downtown in their season opener. Head coach Kyra Elzy believes tonight’s shooting clinic is only a preview of what’s to come.
“We need to be [shooting] 40% or higher. We’re looking for transition 3’s,” Elzy said during the postgame press conference. “We knock those down. Good to see the ball go in the basket in Memorial Coliseum tonight.”
Slow second quarter for Kentucky WBB
While Kentucky didn’t lose their lead in the second quarter, they certainly didn’t play well. The ‘Cats shot 4-14 from the field and went on multiple scoring droughts. Worse, the team fell back into old habits. Committing three turnovers in three minutes, Kentucky tallied seven total turnovers in the first half.
Thankfully, they weren’t the only team making mistakes. The ‘Cats forced nine first-half turnovers for the Eagles. Kentucky turned Morehead State’s trash into treasure, scoring 11 points off their miscues. Despite a slow-scoring period, Kentucky entered the halftime break ahead 26-14.
Kentucky thrives in the third
Whatever Elzy said to the ‘Cats during the break worked. Kentucky began the third period on a ridiculous 9-0 run. The streak was spurred on by back-to-back-to-back 3-pointers from Robyn Benton, Maddie Scherr and Blair Green.
The ‘Cats didn’t stop there. The team rattled off another nine unanswered points. Nonetheless, Morehead State refused to go away quietly. The Eagles responded with a 9-0 run of their own. Unfortunately for Morehead State, their courageous run didn’t amount to much.
Fueled by a combined 22 points and nine assists between Scherr, Benton, and Green, Kentucky concluded the quarter with a comfortable 54-27 lead. After the win, Scherr discussed the team’s electric third quarter.
“I think definitely coming out in the third quarter was huge. That first five minutes was huge,” Scherr said after the win.
The freshmen shine in the fourth frame
The final frame was less about winning and more about figuring out who can help UK win. The bench got their time to shine in the fourth and they did about as expected. Morehead State’s starters outscored them 21-19, but the young ‘Cats showed promising glimpses.
Once again, Amiya Jenkins showed off her speed, dropping five points while shooting 2-2 from the field. Additionally, Saniah Tyler demonstrated her defensive prowess, taking two charges in six minutes played. Elzy spoke on her sprouting stars’ fourth-quarter performance.
“It’s a work in progress. Y’all pray for me. But, they are playing so hard. You don’t have any experience until you get out there,” Elzy said. “They’re going to be really, really good and we’re going to need all of them.”
In the end, Kentucky defeated the Eagles 73-48. The Wildcats’ passing was impressive again, combining for 24 team assists; four more than they recorded in their season opener. Additionally, Kentucky’s 40-minute full-court press paid off, leading to 38 points off turnovers.
On offense, the ‘Cats were equally excellent. Green added 13 points to the team’s effort while shooting 6-11 from the field. Benton didn’t trail far behind. The graduate student recorded 11 points, three rebounds and three assists. Jenkins and Eniya Russell combined for 15 points, as well.
Hopefully, the ‘Cats liked the way they looked on Friday because they won’t have time to recalibrate before their next matchup. On Sunday, Kentucky will square off against Coastal Carolina at 1 p.m. in Memorial Coliseum. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network+.
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