Defensive intensity? Kentucky checks that box in 61-point bounce-back victory.

Nothing gets a team’s attention like an unexpected defeat.

Three days after suffering its first loss of the 2020-21 season, the ninth-ranked University of Kentucky women’s basketball team was in no mood for a losing streak Saturday.

The Wildcats did it with defense from the start, forcing Wofford College into eight turnovers and limiting the Terriers to 1-for-15 shooting in the first quarter on the way to a 98-37 victory in Memorial Coliseum.

Coming off an 86-82 defeat at No. 24 DePaul on Wednesday — after which head coach Kyra Elzy questioned her team’s defensive intensity — Kentucky (7-1) put its length and depth on full display Saturday. Elzy played nine players in the first five minutes and 13 overall — including the debut of transfer Jazmine Massengill who gained her eligibility to play immediately earlier in the week.

Massengill, a 6-foot guard who joined Kentucky after two seasons at Tennessee, played 19 minutes in her UK debut, contributing three points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal off the bench.

“It was difficult trying to work the kinks out, trying to regain chemistry with a new team, but it was definitely a fun experience and I’m glad to be here,” Massengill said.

Quick-handed Chasity Patterson put on a defensive clinic for Kentucky, recording a rare double-double of 17 points and 10 steals. As a team, Kentucky stole the ball 18 times and forced 33 Wofford turnovers.

Afterward, Patterson spoke of Elzy’s message to the team after the DePaul defeat.

“She basically told us that we have to buckle down on defense, and really just focus on that. We didn’t bring the effort that we needed in the last game, so we just went back and worked on our defensive fundamentals, and just saying that everybody is going to commit to defense. So, that was the main message coming out of our last practice.”

Another transfer, Dre’una Edwards, led the Wildcats with 19 points, and also had eight rebounds and blocked two shots. All-American Rhyne Howard finished with 18 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals. Maryland transfer Olivia Owens also found double figures, scoring 10 points to go along with a team-high nine rebounds. Freshman Nyah Leveretter matched Owens’ nine rebounds and scored seven points.

“Well, that looks like the Kentucky team that we are accustom to seeing,” Elzy said. “One of the things that I talked to them about, along with this staff, we are going to lay our hearts on the floor today. When you are in between the lines, you are going to leave your heart there. I thought the intensity was much better. We talked about, if you are tired, we will sub you out, but when you’re out there, we’re going to give it our all. I thought the level in intensity raised because of that.”

Kentucky left no doubt in its final non-league game before opening Southeastern Conference play on Dec. 31. Wofford, from the Southern Conference, proved no match for UK in the schools’ second-ever meeting. The Terriers (3-3) missed 25 of their 28 first-half shots and committed 18 turnovers in the first 20 minutes. They finished 13-of-46 from the field (28.3 percent).

Kentucky led 21-5 after one quarter and 48-11 at the half. During one revealing stretch of the second quarter, Auburn transfer Robyn Benton made back-to-back steals, followed by the same from Patterson. Benton converted hers into a layup and a three-point play. Patterson generated a pair of free throws and a bucket. Kentucky’s fast-strike thievery extended a 35-7 advantage to 44-9 and the Wildcats’ point was made.

Defensive intensity would not be a problem this day.

“We really challenge her on the defensive end (to) stay locked in,” Elzy said of Patterson getting double-digit steals. “She’s getting her hands on basketballs, she is getting steals every game, multiple. And, that just makes her even better defensively, because then she can take it down and score easy points. But, I want her to be as aggressive as she can be on both sides of the floor.”

Patterson’s 10 steals were one short of Leslie Nichols’ UK record.

Even when the game was long over on the scoreboard, Kentucky’s players remained dialed in. Owens took a charge in the third quarter with UK in front 74-16. KeKe McKinney matched that feat in the fourth with the Wildcats on top 85-26.

Offensively, Kentucky scored 49 points off Wofford turnovers. The Wildcats, who put 11 players in the scoring column Saturday, made 39 of 77 shots from the field (50.6 percent), seven of 23 three-point tries (30.4) and 13 of 15 free throws (86.7).

Kentucky’s victory added to a festive holiday mood in a limited-capacity Memorial Coliseum, which featured “Ugly Sweater Day” and video of a roaring fireplace on UK’s massive scoreboard.

Elzy said, “As far as the ugly sweater, I have to admit that last night on the way home I forgot today was our ugly sweater game, so I’m riding down Richmond Road and Coach Niya Butts said, uh do you have your ugly sweater, and I had to make a U-turn to Walmart, so this is what I came up with.”

Next up

Kentucky does not play again until New Year’s Eve when the Wildcats host Arkansas in Memorial Coliseum in their Southeastern Conference opener.

The 12th-ranked Razorbacks were 7-1 entering Saturday’s game at Arkansas-Little Rock. They’ll play one more game, Monday vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, before visiting Lexington.

Arkansas, which finished tied for third in the league with the Wildcats at 10-6 last season — going 24-8 overall — figures to be a formidable opponent again. The Razorbacks’ fast start includes an 83-78 win over then-No. 4 and defending national champion Baylor in the SEC-Big 12 Challenge. Arkansas’ only loss was to then-No. 12 Maryland, 115-96, in the Gulf Coast Showcase at Fort Myers, Fla., playing its fourth game in five nights.

Arkansas averages 96 points per game, good for third in the league this season. Four Razorbacks average double-figure scoring, led by senior guard Chelsea Dungee at 19.0 points per game.

Despite the long break, Patterson said Kentucky will be ready when SEC play gets underway.

“We’re going to continue to focus on things that we need to get better on. Defense, working on our offense. We’re going to get shots up and stuff. We’re going to get a chance to go home and enjoy our families for a little bit, but then it’s back to work.”

Next game

No. 12 Arkansas at No. 9 Kentucky

When: 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31

TV: SEC Network

This story was originally published December 19, 2020 at 3:07 PM.