‘We have the tools.’ Kenny Brooks liked what he saw from Kentucky despite loss to LSU
There are no moral victories for Kentucky, but Kenny Brooks was pleased with how his 14th-ranked Wildcats “held our own” in their 65-58 loss to No. 7 LSU on Sunday.
In front of a sold-out crowd of 6,000 on Senior Day, the Wildcats led for nearly 25 minutes, and held a lead as large as 16 late in the first half after a 12-0 scoring run over 3 1/2 minutes. The Tigers dominated the third quarter, limiting UK to just six points in the period, and created their largest lead of the day (seven). Despite the discouraging period, Kentucky roared back to regain the lead in the fourth before falling just short.
“We played with toughness,” Brooks said. “You’re not going to out-tough LSU for 40 straight minutes, but I thought we held our own. We did some good things. We just had a couple of mental lapses. When you’re playing a team of that magnitude, you’ve got to be on point for most of the time, but every game is different. We have the tools to be able to do it.”
Kentucky (21-5, 10-4 SEC) received 25 combined points from celebrated seniors Georgia Amoore and Dazia Lawrence, including a team-high 16 points from the All-America point guard. Amoore was joined in double-figure scoring by freshman Clara Silva, who delivered 12 points on a perfect 6-of-6 from the field.
The Tigers got double-double performances from Co-SEC Preseason Players of the Year Flau’Jae Johnson (13 and 13) and Aneesah Morrow (12 and 10). Mikaylah Williams, last season’s SEC Freshman of the Year, led LSU in scoring with 24 points on 10-of-21 shooting, including a dagger of a 3-pointer to make it a two-possession game with 50 seconds remaining.
LSU (27-2, 12-2) head coach Kim Mulkey noted the Wildcats’ unique style of play, and how it fits into the ultra-competitive Southeastern Conference. With the victory, the Tigers reinforced their position of third place in the league standings — and kept Kentucky in its precarious fourth-place spot as onlookers Alabama, Oklahoma and Ole Miss sit one game behind. The top four will receive the advantageous double-bye in the SEC Tournament, which will take place at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C, from March 5-9.
“It’s a different style with Kentucky,” Mulkey said. “Tall, spread the floor on you, a tremendous point guard who makes everybody else better. Not only can she score it, but she can get her teammates open looks. The SEC, I’ve always said this. ... I’ve been in a lot of conferences as a player and as a coach, but the SEC is just so athletic. Just athleticism everywhere. You always see speed. You always see, just athletes. And each coach has their different style with their athletes. But it’s a grind in this league, and, man, when the NCAAs come, you’re like, ‘thank goodness.’”
The Wildcats outrebounded LSU 23-20 in the first half before ultimately losing the battle of the boards 47-39. Neither Brooks nor Amoore was disappointed in the team’s performance on the glass, but foul trouble reared its head again for UK, leading to Brooks managing minutes as junior forward Teonni Key notched two fouls before the end of the first quarter. Key and Lawrence each finished with four fouls, while Silva and center Clara Strack each picked up three. Brooks spoke candidly about the Wildcats’ continued efforts to determine “what is and what isn’t,” a foul within the conference.
“We’re trying to figure it out,” Brooks said. “You know, every game is different. ... Sometimes it’s like, ‘OK, well, they’re not calling pushes in the back, or, you know, anything,’ and then we barely push in the back, and it’s a foul. And so, we’re trying to figure it out. And obviously, this is my first year in the SEC. It’s (Amoore’s) first year in the SEC. The amount of grabs, and holds and that, you know, we’re trying to figure it out. ...
“We’re 10-4 with two to go, and we’re still in position. We control our own destiny. And so I like their fight. I like their fight. ... We teach to play the game a certain way, and maybe we have to figure out the way that it’s played and adapt.”
Kentucky was called for 19 fouls, while LSU was called for 18 in a physical game that also featured a double-intentional foul called on Strack and Morrow with just under two minutes to play in the first quarter.
After Sunday’s game, the all-time series between Brooks and Mulkey moved even further in the latter’s favor; dating back to a 2015 contest between James Madison and Baylor, Mulkey has now won each of the five matchups, including the marquee 2023 Final Four battle between Virginia Tech and LSU. Sunday’s game also marked Mulkey’s 750th career coaching victory.
“I’m a big fan of Kenny’s,” Mulkey said. “I just think he’s class. I think his teams are always good. Yeah, we do seem to be playing each other a lot. Played him at Baylor and now at LSU, and he deserves everything that comes his way. Just a tremendous person. Great coach.”
Brooks spoke to Mulkey’s résumé and presence during a media availability on Friday, and said he was “excited” to be in a position where the final stretch of regular-season games really matters. The Wildcats will next host No. 15 Tennessee in the team’s final home game, and travel to No. 6 South Carolina for a March 2 finale.
“She’s a champion,” Brooks said. “She’s done it at two different places, and it’s fun to compete against her, because just the aura in the whole building, just when she walks into it, you know, whether it’s people can’t wait to see how she acts, or whether they can’t wait to see what she wears, it’s gonna be an adventure. And so, I’m excited, I’m excited that we’re in this position, that we’re in to be able to play meaningful games the last week of the season.”
Next game
No. 15 Tennessee at No. 14 Kentucky
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
TV: SEC Network
Radio: WLAP-AM 630
Records: Tennessee 21-6 (8-6 SEC), Kentucky 21-5 (10-4)
Series: Tennessee leads 61-15
Last meeting: Tennessee won 78-62 on March 6, 2024, in the second round of the SEC Tournament in Greenville, S.C.
