(Vicky Graff Photo)
Five Kentucky players scored in double figures in Sunday’s 84-55 win over Georgia in Memorial Coliseum.
All-American point guard Georgia Amoore had 21 points — her 12th time with 20 or more points in a game this season — and seven assists. Kentucky (20-4, 9-3 SEC) got another double-double from Teonni Key with 14 points and a career-high 14 rebounds even though she did not score or have a rebound in the fourth quarter.
Guard Dazia Lawrence went 5-for-6 from the field and scored 15 points and center Clara Strack, who did not score and took only one shot against Texas, had 14 points.
But no points were more important than the 14 junior wing Amelia Hassett scored. She had only scored seven points in the previous three games, including two UK losses. She did not score or even take a shot in a 66-57 loss at Ole Miss and went just 1-for-5 from the field and scored only two points in a 67-49 loss to No. 3 Texas. Her 3-point shot had abandoned her as she was only 3-for-12 in the last four games.
That changed Sunday when she hit her first two 3-pointers early in the first quarter and finished 4-for-7 from 3-point range and 5-for-9 overall.
“It was a really good win for us,” Kentucky coach Kenny Brooks said. “It was a very trying week. It was our third game in seven days and we know it would be very taxing. Monday we played Ole Miss and held our own most of the game and did not finish. Against Texas we really got out of whack when Clara got in foul trouble.
“We needed this game. We have got some kids who really needed to see the ball go through the basket. Amelia is one of them. She has been under the weather this week and I am proud of the way she just battled.”
Hassett clearly sounded like she had been sick this week during her postgame comments with her hoarse voice.
“Obviously I have not been playing as well as I wanted,” she said. “Just coming out today, locked in , focused and playing with confidence is all I did.”
Brooks was clearly frustrated with her play at Ole Miss when he proclaimed after the game that he had not told her not to shoot. After the Texas loss he noted he had some players “not show up” against the Longhorns. He also called out other players for their play in those losses.
“I don’t think I called them out. I think I just stated the obvious,” Brooks said.
Fair point because he did just point out the obvious after his team gave up 47 offensive rebounds in the two losses and also went a combined 8-for-28 from 3-point range in the two losses.
“We are family. She knows I love her as much today as when she scored zero points,” Brooks said. “My job is to get the best out of them and how to handle adversity.
“Sometimes you want to coddle them when they are young instead of teaching them. When she knows you are coming from a place of love, it matters. I spend every day with her and we talk the truth. I didn’t say anything they hadn’t heard.”
Brooks said two season-ending preseason injuries to two expected starters decreased UK’s margin for error because it took away experience and bench strength. That’s the truth he shares with his team.
“My relationship with them goes a lot deeper than 40 minutes on the floor (in a game),” he said. “They are my kids and we speak the truth and when we speak the truth we get great results.”
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Kentucky plays again Thursday at Missouri at 7:30 p.m.
Kentucky-Georgia WBB
Photos by Vicky Graff
3 Responses
What a turnaround Brooks is pulling off. Considering what he had been going through with his wife’s health it is even more amazing. This last part of the regular season has some high ranking teams to play, so let’s stay supportive.
As a Hokie, I sure miss Kenny, Georgia, and Clara, but I am excited for their success at Kentucky! It’s fun to drop in to check on them from time to time.
Just glad you sent them our way RJ