No. 22 Kentucky women’s basketball earned its second win of the season on Thursday night with a 70-41 victory over the Northern Kentucky Norse.
The Wildcats faced off against the Norse for the first time since 2014, making Thursday’s matchup the second time they’ve played since the turn of the century.
Kentucky Head Coach Kenny Brooks stuck with the same starters from the previous game, with the lineup consisting of Georgia Amoore, Dazia Lawrence, Teonni Key, Amelia Hassett and Clara Strack.
At the first media break, the Cats jumped out to a five point lead, with Strack having already grabbed three rebounds and an easy layup.
Clara Silva checked into the game out of the break, touching the court after her dominant six block game against USC Upstate. Silva had an instant impact, getting an easy bucket in the paint and an assist.
By the end of the quarter, the Wildcats led by four points, capped off by the Norse’s Kalissa Lacy hitting a buzzer-beating 3-pointer. Six Wildcats at this point had found the bottom of the net.
The second quarter featured paint domination from Strack and Silva, who had combined for 12 points and five assists.
Halfway through the second period, Kentucky couldn’t seem to find a consistent defensive presence despite the seven team blocks.
Before the next media timeout, Kentucky hit four straight shots on offense to maintain its lead.
In the final stretch of the first half, the Wildcats pressed the gas pedal on offense, jumping to a double-digit lead. Amoore hit a step-back 3-pointer to get one final pop from the crowd as the clock ran down.
Amoore, Strack and Silva combined for 26 out of Kentucky’s 36 points at the half.
After outscoring the Norse 18-9 in the second quarter, Kentucky opened up the third quarter with multiple blocks and defensive stops. Lawrence took over on offense, scoring not only her first bucket of the game, but three straight for the Cats.
Following a scrappy, tightly-guarded third quarter, the Wildcats headed into the final quarter up 51-35, winning the rebound battle by double-figures and making over 40% of their shots as a team.
Strack officially earned her double-double after an inside shot, boosting her to score six fourth quarter points. She ended the game with 15 points and 13 rebounds along with eight assists and four blocks.
Silva led all Wildcats with 18 points off the bench to go along with her second five-block game in a row. Hassett brought in 16 rebounds, a team high this season.
The Wildcats emptied their bench, earning pops from the crowd as they put a cap on another victory for Big Blue Nation.
Kentucky will return to action at home on Tuesday, Nov. 12, for a matchup with the Wofford Terriers. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET and will air live on the SEC Network+.
