[SLIDESHOW] Cats trounce Bellarmine 107-57 in exhibition game

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By Nick Craddock

The UK women’s basketball team played Bellarmine in the preseason for the second consecutive year, but the game was by no means déjà vu.

The Cats handily defeated the Knights 107-57 in their only exhibition game on Monday night at Memorial Coliseum.

“I thought (the team) played with some enthusiasm tonight and intensity, and that’s going to be key for the long-term success of this team,” said UK head coach Matthew Mitchell.

Monday’s game was nothing like the Cats’ narrow three-point victory over the Knights last fall, when the Knights, a Division II school, made UK scrap and claw to overcome a 39.6 percent shooting effort from the field.

However, the Cats’ new-look roster this season displayed great potency on offense and defense in both halves of the game.

Junior forward Victoria Dunlap led the charge for the Cats with a double-double, scoring 22 points and snatching 13 rebounds; however, Mitchell was more impressed with the performances of two former Miss Kentucky Basketball players, as freshman guard A’dia Mathies and sophomore guard Rebecca Gray, each chipped in with 18 points.

“(Mathies can) make plays off the bounce and was able to make some tough plays under the goal,” Mitchell said. “Rebecca Gray showed she could do more than just hit a 3-point shot.”

UK picked up the offensive pace in the first half when they were leading 26-16 and closed the half on a 23-7 run.

Senior guard/forward Lydia Watkins suffered a left shoulder injury in the first half. She left the game and did not return.

The second half saw more smothering defense from the Cats, finishing with 22 steals on the night, including a team-high four steals by Dunlap.

“I think our defensive effort reflects what we’re committed to doing in practice,” Dunlap said.  “Coach has put a lot (of emphasis) into us denying the passing lanes and talking more.”