Gritty Morehead Made Kentucky Work For Opening Win

The only numbers that really mattered to Kentucky coach Kenny Brooks were the point totals that had UK beat Morehead 75-59 Monday night in Memorial Coliseum to open the season.

“It’s obviously good to get one under your belt. I want to give credit to Morehead State. Did a good job of keeping us on our toes. We need to get better,” the Kentucky coach said. “We won’t even look at the stats. We’re going to look at the little things that we know we need to do to get better.”

He should not have to look at the stats to know 3-point shooting is one big spot where UK has to be better. The Cats were 4-for-24 — 17 percent — from 3 as Asia Boone and Amelia Hassett, the team’s best two shooters, were a combined 3-for-15 from 3.

The Kentucky coach also has to be a bit concerned about the way UK started each half. Morehead opened the first half on a 13-4 run and was 5-for-5 from the field and then had another 13-4 run to start the second half. That was a combined 26-8 advantage in those eight minutes but UK outscored the Eagles 67-31 the other 32 minutes.

Ashton Feldhaus, 30, made her Division I head coaching debut with a slew of family members, including her uncle Deron Feldhaus who played for Rick Pitino at Kentucky, seated behind the Morehead bench. Her team was badly outsized but not outfought.

“I cannot wait to get to the locker room. I think we did some things that hurt ourselves. I thought our kids competed all night. They stuck together, They played well. At some points we were down 20 and cut it to 11,” Feldhaus said.  “That effort is kind of our standard.”

Feldhaus had joked she had a “bunch of munchkins” playing against UK’s superior size and her fears were justified as Kentucky outrebouned the Eagles 54-33 and had 21 offensive rebounds that led to a 22-3 advantage in second chance points.

Morehead was just 20 of 56 from the field in part because UK had 12 blocked shots, including four by Teonni Key and three by Clara Strack, who also had 15 points on 6-for-15 shooting and 15 rebounds.

“At halftime we made an adjustment,” Feldhaus said. “Instead of blocking out I told them to face them and do their best football push. I don’t think our kids gave up. Kentucky is going to give people heck all year long. They are massive and if you think you are blocking them out you are not.

“It is not just height but height as the positions they have. They have a shooter that is 6-3. Matchup-wise, they can all go play with their back to the basket. They are always going to have a mismatch. Their guards can go down and post, too.”

Guard Jordan Obi made her UK debut memorable. After missing last year with a knee injury, the Penn transfer had 15 points on 6-for-11 shooting along with 15 rebounds. She had seven offensive boards and just bullied her way into the paint.

“I’m grateful. I’m blessed to be healthy,” Obi said after playing 31 minutes.

She had a minor leg issue during the game but Brooks did not seem overly concerned.

“She cramped up. It was humid in there,” Brooks said.

Georgia Tech transfer Tonie Morgan also made her UK debut with 16 points and four assists. She was able to get he shots almost at will but was only 6-for-15 from the field.

Feldhaus the the two were “dynamic” and likes what lies ahead for the new UK backcourt.

“I think as they figure each other out, they’re dangerous,” Feldhaus said.

She has similar thoughts about UK’s overall team.

“They’re not rebuilding. They reload. My goodness, they’re going to be exciting to watch,” the Morehead coach said.

Morehead should be, too. What it lacks in size, Feldhaus plans to to counter with quickness, 3-point shooting and toughness.

Morehead point guard Marie Sepp led all scorers with 21 points.

“Our point guard is the toughest player I have ever coached,” Feldhaus said. “We have not arrived but effort and competitiveness were both a checked box for us tonight.”