Dazia Lawrence celebrates with fans after UK’s huge win over Tennessee. (Vicky Graff Photo)
By LARRY VAUGHT
Not only did Kentucky clinch a double bye in the upcoming SEC Tournament with its 82-58 win over No. 11 Tennessee Thursday night, but the No. 15 Cats also kept themselves in position to host a NCAA Tournament game.
ESPN gave Tennessee a 65 percent chance to win Thursday’s game even though it was in Memorial Coliseum. Instead, it was never close after UK took a 20-9 lead after the first quarter and expanded the margin to 45-26 at halftime. Kentucky was up by 31 points in the third quarter and despite getting outscored 13-8 in the fourth still registered its biggest margin of victory ever over Tennessee.
Tennessee’s six losses this season were by a combined 20 points and the Cats won by 24 while coasting to the finish in the fourth quarter.
Kentucky had a 16-point lead in the first half over No. 5 LSU on Sunday but let the Tigers rally to win. Kentucky did not make that mistake this time.
Kentucky coach Kenny Brooks said after the LSU loss he was asked what he took from the LSU game.
“I said, ‘We’re good. We’re just playing against good teams too,’” Brooks said.
Brooks said he had “great players” he knew would be ready for another opportunity to show what they can do.
“I’m very proud that they didn’t hang their heads. We took it on the chin. We just couldn’t wait for Thursday and the big game,” Brooks said.
Brooks had coached against Tennessee when he was at Virginia Tech and had some success. He had also coached against first-year Tennessee coach Kim Caldwell when she was at Marshall last year.
“We’re embracing the (Tennessee) rivalry and I’m looking forward to it and the kids did a really good job,” Brooks said.
Sophomore center Clara Strack had 23 points on 11-for-11 shooting from the field and tied her career high with 15 rebounds. She added three blocked shots — she set a new single-season record for blocked shots — and two assists.
Point guard Georgia Amoore not only easily handled Tennessee’s full-court press and defense stacked to pressure but she also scored 18 points and had seven assists. Teonni Key had 18 points on 8-for-13 shooting and got to the rim almost at will and also pulled off 10 rebounds. Guard Dazia Lawrence had 13 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Kentucky had 19 assists on 34 field goals. The Cats were only 5-for-21 from 3-point range but were 29-for-45 from 2-point range and got numerous easy shots against the press or by driving inside against the Vols.
Kentucky players wrapped up a double bye in the SEC Tournament with the win over Tennessee Thursday. (Vicky Graff Photo)
“We schemed against it (Tennessee’s press) last year, and when we found some of the holes, that helped us in that situation, and it played into our hands,” the UK coach said. “They were where we thought they were going to be, and we were able to hit the open person.
“Teonni did a really good job of relieving some of the pressure (on Amoore) and attacking the basket. So it was a group effort, really a team effort. I was so proud of them and the way that they just executed everything that we asked for.”
However, Brooks was even happier with UK’s defense that forced 13 turnovers and forced Tennessee into 23 of 74 shooting (31.1 percent) from the field and just 6-for-29 (20.7 percent) from 3.
“We were really good in the gaps where we were supposed to be. Made them take tough shots. Did a good job on the boards, rebounding,” Brooks said. “It was good. We got to that spot, and then we cleaned it up and finished the possession.”
Tennessee normally tries to wear opponents down by using 10 players and at times Caldwell substitutes five players at the same time. Kentucky does not have that kind of depth but Clara Silva had six points, six rebounds and one block in 18 minutes, Saniah Taylor played 10 minutes and Lexi Blue had two points and two rebounds in 16 minutes. Cassidy Rowe also gave UK five minutes off the bench.
Brooks watched LSU dominate UK most of the second half Sunday. He emphasized to his team Thursday that it had to control the third quarter and it did by outscoring Tennessee 29-19.
“We came out against LSU a little flat in the third quarter and they blitzed us and regained momentum. We talked about not doing that again,” Brooks said.
He also reminded his team that Tennessee overcame a halftime deficit to beat Florida when it scored “30 some points” in the third quarter.
“This Tennessee team, and the way that they play, they almost have a reckless abandonment. They don’t have a conscience. They can get back into a game quickly,” Brooks said. “You have to just weather the storm, and we did a really good job of doing that. I was proud of the kids
Kentucky closes regular season play Sunday at South Carolina. Tipoff is at 2 p.m. EST on ESPN.
3 Responses
That was the best woman’s game I have seen in a very long time and was as well executed of a beat down of hated rival for at least 3 quarters. Very happy with the way Silva progressing and wish that Ms. Rowe would be able to find her way because we will need more bench production to progress. If Amelia will be able to balance the high/low games that will be very helpful also.
it was awesome
Brooks should write a book on how to break a press. Ky scorched them All night.