Vicky Graff Photo
Coming off a 62-point loss at No. 1 South Carolina, Kentucky coach Krya Elzy wanted her team to “show the world what we were made of” against Missouri Sunday.
The Cats did that with a balanced team effort to win 76-71 and snap a three-game Southeastern Conference losing streak.
“Obviously, we were devastated and embarrassed (at South Carolina), but we had to have a short-term memory and it shows the resiliency of this team,” Elzy said. “That’s hard to come off that type of loss and bounce back with a win.
“I thought they were relentless and focused all week, balanced scoring. We said we needed 75 plus points to have Ajae Petty, Saniah Tyler, Maddie Scherr, and Eniya Russell, four people in double figures, that’s what your offense needs.
“I thought everyone came in and made big plays, whether it was a free throw or extra pass in sharing the basketball.”
Russell, a senior guard, led Kentucky with 20 points — the fifth time she’s led UK in scoring this season. She also had seven rebounds, including a key rebound of her own miss in the final seconds, and two steals.
“I think sharing the ball helped us a lot. We had a great week of practice coming off the loss and after we let that loss go, I feel like we took it as we can learn something from it,” Russell said. “In practice, we just harped on swinging the ball defensively and I felt like we translated it to the game too. Moving the ball around, getting everyone involved, and moving past mistakes helped us a lot today.”
Elzy anticipated Russell having a big game against Missouri.
“She had great defensive intensity and was playing under control offensively, so I felt it all day today. When she came in, she was bouncing around defensively, I thought she took good on-balance shots but I love that she went to the offensive boards,” Elzy said.
“We did run a couple of isos for her but that’s the Eniya Russell that we need and hope to see consistently, so proud of her and I want her to celebrate this. She has greatness in her and we just need it consistently. Big day for her, and I want her to enjoy it.”
Senior guard Maddie Scherr had 19 points, nine rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocked shots. She was 6-for-8 at the foul line where UK overall went 19-for-24.
“Definitely just keep pushing the pace. We’re a team that thrives in transition and you know we’ve been working on free throws at practice a lot, and because we’re a team that can get to the line and we capitalized on that today,” Scherr said. “I think it’s just keeping, you know, getting out the transition and attacking and making them foul us.”
Kentucky got 12 points and 10 rebounds from Petty along with 10 points from Saniah Tyler.
“Saniah has grown up so much, she is so talented. She has the ability to score at all three levels plus how she can pick up the ball along with Brooklynn Miles,” Elzy said. “Saniah is so hard on herself so we’re talking about the next play, and I’m so proud of her growth.
“Something maybe you all can’t see is if she makes a mistake her ability to bounce back in this game is huge growth for her and I know she will continue to get better.”
Scherr fouled out late in the game but watched Russell and Petty make plays to put the game away.
“I was very nervous. I was upset that I fouled out, but it was great to be able to cheer on my teammates too in that last second,” she said. “I was going crazy when this one (Russell) right here made that shot and then things went our way.”
Kentucky-Mizzou WBB
Photos by Vicky Graff
