Written by: Ainsley Saurers
No.8 Kentucky women’s basketball traveled to Oxford and fell to Ole Miss 66-57 on Monday.
Despite the loss, Teonni Key had an impressive 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Clara Strack
set a new Kentucky school record with eight blocked shots in a single game.
Kentucky was the first to score with a layup from Georgia Amoore, the Rebels responded with
one of their own to tie up the game early on. Amoore added another basket to give the Cats an
edge before Ole Miss went on a 4-0 run. Dazia Lawrence and Strack put a stop to the run with
baskets of their own followed by a three from Key handing the lead to the Cats, 13-6.
The Rebels went on another streak scoring the next six points to chip away at the distance,
12-13. Amoore drained a three sparking a 6-2 run from the Cats advancing their lead, 22-16.
Ole Miss capped off the period with one basket, but the lead still remained with the Cats, 22-18.
Coming into the second period the Rebels were the one to score first this time landing two
baskets, Strack countered with a basket of her own. Amoore sank another basket followed by
an Ole Miss basket. After a couple of free throws from both teams Kentucky still led, 27-23.
Key then added a basket and a three stabilizing the lead for the Cats , 32-25. Ole Miss
managed two free throws, but Saniah Tyler hooked a layup making it 34-27. Finishing up the
first half, the Rebels tallied another four baskets but Strack closed things out on a high note
draining a three, 37-31.
Ole Miss opened the second half scoring first, but Key answered with a layup to make it 39-33.
After a few baskets from Ole Miss, Lawrence and Key each landed a basket keeping Kentucky
in the lead, 45-37.
Ole Miss found some momentum scoring the next six before a layup from Strack briefly halted
their run. Ole Miss continued their momentum scoring the last five points of the third period
claiming the lead, 48-47.
Beginning the final period Ole Miss extended their lead with four unanswered points. Amoore
put the ball through the hoop putting a stop to the run, but was met with an Ole Miss three.
Amoore continued to fight and scored again, but Ole Miss remained in control. Ole Miss put the
game away scoring the next eight points, 66-57.
Kentucky will be back in the BlueGrass on Thursday, hosting No. 3 Texas Longhorns in Historic
Memorial Coliseum. Tip off will be at 7 p.m. EST.
Photo: UK Athletics
