A New Year’s Eve to remember: UK takes revenge on auld acquaintance in SEC opener.
The University of Kentucky women’s basketball team slammed the door on a tumultuous 2020 and kicked off its 16-game Southeastern Conference schedule with a signature victory on New Year’s Eve.
Behind Rhyne Howard’s double-double, the 13th-ranked Wildcats pulled away in the fourth quarter to knock off No. 10 Arkansas, 75-64, in Memorial Coliseum on Thursday night.
Howard sealed the victory with a brilliant late stretch, nailing a three-pointer to put the Cats up 71-62 with 1:06 to play, then coming up with a block and rebound.
It was the best game this season for UK’s junior All-American. Howard scored a season-high 24 points to go along with 10 rebounds and four assists. She was efficient on offense, hitting nine of 17 shots from the field, including four of seven three-pointers.
“She’s one of the best players in America, if not the best,” Arkansas Coach Mike Neighbors said of Howard. “When she makes a couple of easy ones, then she makes everything. I thought she dominated (the second quarter) and at times the entire second half.
“It’s good for our league to have her in it but, man, it’s a nightmare when they’re your opponent that night.”
The victory provided a welcome bit of revenge for the Wildcats, who last season were blown out on the road by the Razorbacks, 103-85. UK has now won 11 straight over Arkansas in Lexington.
KeKe McKinney and Blair Green scored 10 points each, while Olivia Owens and Robyn Benton both scored nine. Kentucky shot 50 percent from the field, knocking down 10 of 20 shots from beyond the arc. The Cats won the rebound battle, 37-28.
The Wildcats leaned on their defense down the stretch after giving up a slew of fast-break baskets in the first half. They held the Razorbacks to 39 percent shooting — including a 5-for-21 mark from three-point range — and blocked eight shots. In her second game with the Cats after being granted immediate eligibility by the NCAA, transfer Jazmine Massengill had three of those blocks to go along with three assists and five points in 21 minutes off the bench.
“I was so proud of our team,” UK Coach Kyra Elzy said. “We really have challenged them with our one-on-one defense and building a wall, making people score over you and we wanted to protect the three-point line. And tonight they locked in and we did that.”
Neighbors said once the Wildcats dialed in on defense the Razorbacks floundered.
“They took us out of everything we like to do offensively at times, and then they go 10-for-20 from the three-point line on top of all that,” Neighbors said. “I thought they completely outplayed us, out-prepared us ... Just about anything you can outdo somebody on I thought they did that tonight.”
Arkansas star Chelsea Dungee scored a team-high 20 points to lead the Razorbacks. The preseason First Team All-SEC senior guard made nine of 18 shots.
Coming off a nearly two-week break since their last game, the Wildcats appeared to be sleepwalking early on. Dungee swiped a steal and converted and easy runout to complete an 8-0 run and put the Hogs ahead 10-2, prompting a UK timeout.
The Cats sprang to life after the break, going on a 7-0 run and pulling within 10-9 on Howard’s three-pointer. UK took its first lead, 23-21, on Howard’s fast-break layup. Moments later she completed a wild four-point play, lofting a deep three while being fouled that shot skyward off the back iron before dropping through the hoop. Howard sank the free throw to make it 31-29 UK.
Howard scored 17 first-half points, making three of five shots from downtown as the Cats took a 35-34 lead into halftime.
The Wildcats hit seven of eight shots late to help salt away the game. Green’s three-pointer gave the Cats a 66-60 edge, setting up Howard’s win-sealing stretch. Arkansas’ Neighbors was called for a technical foul with less than a minute play and UK leading by nine.
Two games moved to Rupp
Two UK women’s basketball home games have been moved to Rupp Arena in order to relieve a busy upcoming schedule in Memorial Coliseum.
The Wildcats’ matchup with Alabama on Jan. 28 and a meeting with Tennessee on Feb. 11 will now be played in Rupp. The Cats and Crimson Tide will tip off Thursday, Jan. 28 at 6:30 p.m. (SEC Network), while the Wildcats and Lady Vols will start at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11 (SEC Network Plus).
Attendance for the two games will be limited to 15 percent of normal Rupp Arena capacity and ticket information will be announced by the school soon.
Sunday
No. 13 Kentucky at No. 12 Mississippi State
When: 1 p.m.
TV: ESPN2
Radio: WLAP AM-630
This story was originally published December 31, 2020 at 10:52 PM.
