Emma King, left, got praise from coach Kyra Elzy and All-American teammate Rhyne Howard for her play against Ole Miss Sunday. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Kentucky lost its fourth straight Southeastern Conference game Sunday and played for the second straight time with just seven scholarship players. Ole Miss beat the Wildcats 63-54 after racing out to a 13-1 lead. Kentucky never led but at least the margin was closer than 20-plus point losses to Tennessee, Florida and South Carolina in the three previous games.
All-American Rhyne Howard had 24 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks, one steal and one assist but was just 9-for-23 from the field for No. 23 UK that is going to disappear out of the national rankings this year.
However, there was one bright spot — junior Emma King. She had five points on 2-for-2 shooting along with one rebound, one steal, one assist and one turnover in 16 minutes, 36 seconds of play — her most minutes in an SEC game this year and second most playing time she’s had in any game.
Her three-point play in the third quarter capped a 7-2 UK run that cut the lead to 36-34 but the Cats never got any closer.
“I’m very proud of Emma. I gave her a hug in the back,” Kentucky coach Kyra Elzy said after the loss. “Emma and I had a heart to heart, and she asked me what she needed to do for this team.
“One of the things that I told her is that I love her work ethic, I love her toughness, she loves this program and understands the importance of playing at the University of Kentucky.
“What I asked her to do is step up and produce, get in the game, play as hard as she can play defensively, be confident in her shot, and make hustle plays and take charge. I needed her to be my hustle player and I thought she stepped in and did that today.”
So did Howard, who said she was “super proud” of the former Lincoln County High School standout.
“She came in and made some big plays for us and she gave us great minutes,” Howard said. “Whenever something was going on I would look up and see her there, and I’m just glad she’s staying confident in herself.
“I just keep telling her ‘we need you, we need you’ and stepping up to the plate and performing.”
Kentucky guard Robyn Benton did not play because of an injury and Dre Edwards, UK’s second-leading scorer, did not play for disciplinary reasons again.
“It is difficult, when you don’t have as many subs, but you have to make it work somehow,” Howard said. “We like can’t just focus on how many players we have. We just have to focus on how hard we work.”
4 Responses
The women’s team has me puzzle. thought the results be better than this.
The future for the women’s program is questionable when Ryan Howard leaves.
Huge worries when Howard is gone
Admittedly, this is the first time I have watched the gals play, but I must say how surprised I was at their effort and results. Some players looked out of shape and bent over their knees holding on to their uniforms (#11 especially). She also was appeared to be two steps behind the play and out of place. Did not see much ball movement but a lot of standing around by most players. Offense seemed to be to find Howard and run back on defense. Emma King was obviously a bright spot in the game. Frankly, I did not think they were well coached. Hopefully, I am wrong but four straight losses and player suspensions suggests all isn’t well.