Kentucky had its way in the second half of a 98-56 win over North Alabama — UK outscored North Alabama 63-25 in the second half behind 17 points by Dre’Una Edwards in the third quarter —on Thursday. Today, though, the Cats face a much bigger test at No. 8 Indiana.
This could be a statement game for the Cats since it will be on ESPN at 5 p.m. It’s also an important early game for All-American Rhyne Howard in her quest to become the national player of the year. She had 20 points, 10 rebounds, three steals, and three blocks, recording the 18th double-double of her UK career, in Thursday’s win.
“I wish we had a longer time but we do not,” Kentucky coach Kyra Elzy said Thursday when asked about the quick turnaround for Indiana. “We have to make sure we are taking care of our bodies. Two, our offensive execution. We have to be more sound, slow down, execute.
“Our help-side defense – we got to be better. If they have a straight-line drive, we’ve got to get the help, get the rotation, and make people score over us instead of around. ”
Kentucky has had an issue with slow starts in its two wins, something Edwards knows the Cats cannot afford at Indiana.
“I feel like we’ve been having slow starts because we’ve been playing to the level of our competition. We know that this is a big game and we’re not going to go out there sluggish, or not knowing the correct defense or not communicating that the correct way,” Edwards said. “We’re going to go out there locked in, mentally focused and we’re already prepared so we’re ready.”
“We’ve just got to focus. We set goals at the beginning of the season, and we just need to execute them,” senior guard Robyn Benton, who had 14 points and five assists in her first UK start Thursday, said. “It definitely gives me confidence going into Indiana. We know it’s going to be a big road contest. Hopefully, this performance just translates to Indiana.”
Howard doesn’t mind Kentucky being the underdog. In fact, she embraces it.
“Most of the time when we go play a top team the odds are against us. So, we just use that as motivation,” Howard said. “I feel like we’ve been playing sort of sluggish because we’re not getting our shots. It has affected us on the defensive end. We’re going to come out hot because we know what the odds are and how big of a game this is (at Indiana).”
Indiana graduate transfer Nicole Cardano-Hillary had 29 points in Indiana’s first game and hit seven 3-pointers. She also had six rebounds and five assists.
“We’re going to have to get after it. Our coaches probably talked about it and what they’re going to have us do. We’re not worried about that; we’re worried about us,” Edwards said.
