UK women advance to finals of Turkey tourney

Herald-Leader Staff Report

The Kentucky women's basketball team scored five points in the final 10 seconds to advance to the championship game of the Courtyard LaGuardia Turkey Classic with an 87-82 win over Yale on Friday afternoon at Brooklyn, N.Y.

With the game tied at 82-82 with 15 seconds to play, senior Carly Ormerod turned the ball over but was able to steal it back and score to seal the win for UK (3-1), which will face tournament host Long Island (3-2) in the finals.

Ormerod and fellow guard Amber Smith led four Cats in double figures with 17 points apiece. Junior forward Lydia Watkins added 16 points and nine rebounds while junior guard and Brooklyn native Amani Franklin scored 15.

"It was a hard-fought win and a win we really had to earn," UK Coach Matthew Mitchell said. "Winning this game gives us a chance to play for a championship and we're excited to have this opportunity."

UK shot a season-high 55.6 percent from the field, including 60 percent in the second half, and won the battle of the boards for the fourth consecutive game with a 46-33 advantage. However, the Cats were hampered by 25 turnovers.

Melissa Colborne led all scorers with 24 points.