‘As good as there is.’ Battle-tested Georgia Amoore shows Kentucky the way past Louisville.
In Kenny Brooks’ eyes, Saturday night’s 71-61 overtime win for No. 20 Kentucky women’s basketball over No. 18 Louisville marked a full-circle moment for Georgia Amoore.
On Jan. 7, 2021, Virginia Tech hosted Louisville in Blacksburg. A then-freshman Amoore played 32 minutes against what was, at that point, an undefeated, second-ranked Cardinals squad that included now-Chicago Sky guard Dana Evans, who was tasked with containing Amoore. Despite the fact that the Hokies cut into a double-digit Louisville lead, and even had a chance to take the game in the end, Amoore’s inexperience proved costly in the final moments.
“When (Amoore) grew up for me, and she grew up as a player,” Kentucky’s head coach said, “we were playing Louisville. And Dana Evans picked her at the very end of that game. We were going for the win, and she and I talked all week. I said, ‘Dana Evans is going to try to time your dribbles, and then she’ll pick you.’ And, right in front of me — .”
“I turn it over and (Evans) wins the game,” Amoore finished.
“But she grew from that,” Brooks said. “And so, as the clock was winding down (Saturday), we had the last shot again. It was like a full-circle moment. We’re playing Louisville, different color uniform on us, but it shows the growth. Not only for (Amoore), and I expect the same type of growth from some of the other players that we have.”
On Nov. 16, 2024, Amoore earned her fourth consecutive victory over the Cardinals. This time, in the form of a highly anticipated, ranked rivalry matchup in front of a sold-out crowd in Memorial Coliseum. The game served as an opportunity for Amoore to showcase all that she’s learned throughout the course of her college career. And, this time, she got it done.
After nearly four quarters of tight, fierce back-and-forth, Louisville capitalized on a pair of missed free throws by graduate guard Dazia Lawrence and tied the game with just enough time for the Wildcats to try to close it out in regulation. Amoore had the final opportunity, but stiff Louisville defense in the form of a blocked shot sent the game to extra time, with the score tied at 56.
Bolstered by strong work (both on the boards and at the free throw line) from sophomore center Clara Strack and junior forwards Amelia Hassett and Teonni Key, Kentucky (4-0) built a multiple-possession lead in overtime. UK would proceed to win the game on the free throw line, two of which were sank by Amoore.
When asked where the overtime victory ranked in her memories with Brooks, she gave it some weight.
“I think this is up there,” Amoore said. “Because it’s a big rival game, but ... it’s under (Brooks’) era. It’s my last time playing Louisville. It’s a big win and it’s definitely a game I’ll be looking back on after this year, for sure. The crowd, everything, just as (Brooks) said, full-circle moment. We went our whole lives playing Louisville, first two years lost to them. Second two years, won. And I said at the end, ‘I don’t lose to Louisville anymore.”
Against the Cardinals (2-2), Amoore scored 19 points, the first time this season she has led the team in scoring. Amoore also finished with one rebound, nine assists, one block, two steals and eight turnovers while playing the game’s entire 45 minutes. Louisville head coach Jeff Walz noted her refusal to quit.
“Amoore is as good as there is,” Walz said. “And what I was impressed with her is, as rattled as we got her, I mean, she turned a damn ball over eight times, guys. We did a heck of a job, but she kept playing. And that’s what I’ve always admired about her, is, no matter how rattled we got her, you never saw it on her face. And that’s the sign of a great point guard, and she is, you know, I’ve got a ton of respect for her. I always have.”
Louisville forced 24 Kentucky turnovers, converting those into 24 points.
“It’s not always great when your point guard has eight turnovers,” Amoore said. “But I think, team-wise, I think probably just a bit of panic. And we’ve talked this week about being aware. I think we knew that they were going to come at us, but we didn’t really know how hard they were going to and I think a couple of them were travels, or just being sped up by their intensity on defense, which is something we can easily control. So that’s something that we’ll definitely have to get used to.”
Key finished with 17 points, nine rebounds, one assist and five blocks, while Lawrence added 14 points, three rebounds and three assists. Strack contributed 12 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Amelia Hassett had nine points, including a trio of clutch free throws in the overtime to seal the win. She added 13 rebounds and one assist. Only the starting five scored points for Kentucky.
“I think it was really good for our team to play a quality opponent,” Amoore said. “I know it’s an in-state rival, but I think that games like this, early in the season, can really teach us a lot. But also show what we’re capable of. And I think, you know, over time in tough situations like that, we really locked in and got good plays and good offensive rebounds. ... So now we know what to build off of, and it’s always a great win when you beat Louisville.”
Amoore also celebrated the massive turnout from Big Blue Nation, a sellout crowd listed at 6,117 just an hour after UK’s home football game ended. When asked what her biggest takeaway from the Battle of the Bluegrass was, Amoore was quick to shout out (and call to) the fans.
“The people show out,” Amoore said. “You know, I think we’ve had early games and the crowds are trickling in. But tonight it was loud, and they bought great energy. That’s what was advertised to me as what ‘Big Blue Nation’ was, and I think it was great they came tonight, but we’re definitely going to need that come conference time, too.”
Next game
Purdue Fort Wayne at No. 20 Kentucky
When: 6 p.m. Monday
TV: SEC Network+
Radio: WLAP-AM 630
Records: Purdue Fort Wayne 2-1, Kentucky 4-0
Series: Kentucky leads 1-0
Last meeting: Kentucky won 79-59 on Nov. 21, 2003, in Lexington
