Vicky Graff Photo
For the second time this season, Kentucky was no match for No. 1 South Carolina as the unbeaten Gamecocks demolished host UK 103-55 after jumping on top 25-8 in the first quarter.
About a month ago, South Carolina beat UK by 62 points — 98-36 — in Columbia, S.C.
Sunday’s loss dropped UK to 11-17 overall this season and 4-10 in Southeastern Conference play.
However, nothing that happens can alter fifth-year senior Emma King’s love for Kentucky. She had played only sparingly the last two seasons but thought she could help a young team by returning for another year. She’s started 21 of 28 games and has averaged 4.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 21.1 minutes per game.
King had two steals, one rebound and one steal in 28 minutes in Sunday’s loss while often having to play inside against much bigger players, something she’s had to do out of necessity for this team.
After the game, she was obviously disappointed with the loss but had no regrets about her decision to be at Kentucky.
“I am just super thankful for this program. I was just a little girl who dreamed of being here,” said King, a former Lincoln County High School standout.
Sunday was Senior Day and King had numerous family members and fans at the game even though her final home game will be Thursday night.
“With Senior Day comes a lot of emotions. I truly am so grateful and it’s a very bittersweet moment. I’m out of eligibility obviously but I’m just so thankful for the five years that I’ve had here,” King said.
“Also I had so much family here today and that just really means the world to me and just being able to be recognized at a university and a place I call home was really sweet.”
King didn’t complain about her role that put her inside against bigger players, an almost impossible task against the defending national champions on Sunday.
“Obviously I’m out-sized, especially in the SEC but specifically against South Carolina. South Carolina just has a lot of tall girls who are really physical but I think the one thing I try to do and our team tries to do is just try and match their play, box them out early, and do the little things,” King said.
“Sometimes being small can be an advantage if you know how to use it. Which is honestly why I try and take a lot of charges because I’m not going to block their shots. It’s all about effort and I think that is something we’re really trying to work on.”
King and sophomore Cassidy Rowe, another Kentucky high school product, have been exceptional drawing charges this season — King has now taken 19, Rowe 23.
“Obviously we came out a little flat, I think just going into the game we were prepared but it’s more of locking in and making sure, especially in the SEC and playing teams that are top in the country,” King said.
“When you make the mistakes people capitalize on them. I think we were prepared, it was just a matter of we came out flat and we were playing from behind from there.”
UK-SC WBB
Photos by Vicky Graff
