Kentucky’s ‘getting everyone involved’ as Eniya Russell steps up in win against Missouri
Kentucky coach Kyra Elzy said she knew senior guard Eniya Russell would have a strong game against Missouri.
So it didn’t surprise Elzy in the slightest when Russell led the Wildcats with 20 points and tacked on seven rebounds and a pair of steals in Sunday’s 76-71 victory against the Tigers in Rupp Arena.
“I thought she practiced well,” Elzy said afterward. “She was steady all week and focused. She had great defensive intensity and was playing under control offensively, so I felt it all day today. When she came in, she was bouncing around defensively. I thought she took good on-balance shots, but I love that she went to the offensive boards.
“We did run a couple of isos for her but that’s the Eniya Russell that we need and hope to see consistently, so proud of her and I want her to celebrate this, but she has greatness in her and we just need it consistently.”
Russell, who first checked in off the bench early in the first quarter, was everywhere against the Tigers. She scored six of Kentucky’s 16 points during that period and did her part to help the Wildcats (9-10, 2-3 SEC) respond to a strong start by Missouri (11-8, 2-4 SEC).
Tigers head coach Robin Pingeton praised Russell’s performance after UK ended a three-game losing streak.
“Just her athleticism, you know, quick first step,” Pingeton said. “You know, we’re trying to play her as a driver but even then she was able to get around our players and find ways to get to that paint, and just a really special athlete.”
Russell and starting guard Maddie Scherr — who finished with 19 points, nine rebounds, six assists, two blocks and two steals — made a tremendous difference for a Wildcats roster that has struggled to hold onto leads this season.
Against Missouri, they complemented each other well (with Russell leading the way in the first and fourth quarters and Scherr making her presence known in the second and third).
According to Russell, UK’s offense benefited from lessons learned in a 62-point loss to No. 1 South Carolina on Jan. 15. In that game, only sophomore guard Saniah Tyler scored in double figures — leading the way with 13 points — as players including Russell and leading scorer Ajae Petty had a difficult time finding a rhythm.
“I think sharing the ball helped us a lot,” Russell said. “We had a great week of practice coming off the loss and after we let that loss go, I feel like we took it as we can learn something from it. In practice, we just harped on swinging the ball defensively and I felt like we translated it to the game, too. Moving the ball around getting everyone involved, and moving past mistakes helped us a lot today.”
Ultimately, four Wildcats scored in double figures against Missouri: Russell, Scherr, Petty (12) and Tyler (10). Petty also had 10 rebounds.
Scherr steps up
Elzy said she met with Scherr, who scored nine points against the Gamecocks, after that loss.
“I just wanted to free her up,” Elzy said. “‘Let loose, play basketball when the shot’s open, and take it. If it doesn’t feel good to you, trust your instincts on the court.’ I thought she came out aggressive offensively and we needed it. But I’ve really been challenging her to rebound. Her ability to rebound really kept us in the game.”
However, Scherr had to watch the finish of Sunday’s game from the bench. She fouled out with 1:45 to play and the Tigers pulled to within three points after a pair of made free throws as a result of her fifth foul.
“I was very nervous,” Scherr said. “I was upset that I fouled out. But it was great to be able to cheer on my teammates to that last second.”
Prior to fouling out, Scherr had contributed a big 3-pointer, a much-needed defensive rebound, a pair of assists and one block in the fourth quarter. And, within a minute of Scherr’s fifth foul, the Tigers tied the game for the first time.
But, as she had done all game, Russell stepped up and delivered the Wildcats a necessary Southeastern Conference win with a 3-point swing during the final minute of the game.
“I was going crazy when [Eniya] right here made that shot,” Scherr said. “Then things went our way.”
Russell had just one thing to say — “We had her back.”
Getting to the line
In Sunday’s victory, Kentucky posted its highest free-throw percentage — 19-for-24 for 79.2% — this season. It was the Wildcats’ most made free throws in a game since their season-opening win against Eastern Tennessee State (22-for-36).
Elzy said it was good to see some of the things the team focuses on in practice translate to a game. She also praised Petty, who averages 53.8% from free-throw line, for making all four of her attempts.
“I’m so proud of this team,” Elzy said. “We have been harping on free throws. We practice free throws nonstop. Getting 19 out of 24 was huge for us. Ajae Petty getting four out of four free throws today was a huge step forward for her.
“Our goal has been 80% all year (the Wildcats have shot 65.5% as a team), but one thing we have been doing in practice is a lot of pressure free throws … . I think it’s paying off.”
This Wildcats made only two of six free-throw attempts against South Carolina. Scherr credited the improvement to Kentucky’s control of the pace of play and following through on its offensive plan.
“Definitely just keep pushing the pace,” Scherr said. “We’re a team that thrives in transition and you know we’ve been working on free throws at practice a lot, and because we’re a team that can get to the line and we capitalized on that today.”
Next game
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
TV: SEC Network+ (online only)
Radio: WLAP-AM 630
Records: Kentucky 9-10 (2-3 SEC), Arkansas 14-6 (2-3 SEC)
Series: Kentucky leads 27-15
Last meeting: Kentucky won 73-63 on Jan. 4, 2023, at Rupp Arena
