No. 20 Kentucky women’s basketball (6-0) remains undefeated on the season with a 76-35 victory over Purdue (2-2). The Wildcats defense allowed them to pick up their fifth straight victory by more than 30 points.
Clara Strack recorded her fifth double-double of the season, her third in a row, she has recorded one in every game in which she played more than 20 minutes. She ended with 17 points, 13 rebounds and a season-best five blocks on 7-14 (50%) shooting.
Jordan Obi had another impressive performance on the heels of her season-high 17 point showing against Marshall. Obi ended with 17 points once again, adding eight rebounds on 6-10 (60%) shooting.
Kentucky’s dominant defense showed up once again. Purdue didn’t score more than 13 points in any quarter, shooting 13-65 (20%) from the field and 3-19 (15.8%) from 3-point range.
The Wildcats held Purdue to just nine points in the second half on 4-37 (10.8%) shooting.
The Cats held a 49-40 edge on the glass with 10 blocks and two steals.
The Wildcats started hot, pulling out to a 7-0 after 1:30 of game time. Teonni Key hit a mid-range jumper on the opening possession, Strack scored on the next two possessions with a post fade followed by a 3-pointer.
After hitting another 3-pointer, Strack accounted for seven of the Cats first 11 points
Obi hit a 3-pointer to push the Wildcats lead to 14-4 after 5:07 minutes, forcing a Purdue timeout. The Boilermakers four points all came from the free throw line.
Purdue found some rhythm on offense out of the timeout, with made field goals on back-to-back possessions.
The Wildcats were able to hold their 10-point lead at the end of the first quarter, holding onto a 23-13 lead.
Kentucky shot 9-17 (52.9%) from the field in the quarter and 4-6 (66.7%) from behind the arc.
The Wildcats offense struggled with their efficiency early in the second quarter, shooting 4-11 (36.4%) through 5:40. However, the defense limited Purdue which allowed Kentucky to extend its lead to 15.
Purdue shot 3-10 in the last five minutes of the half, allowing Kentucky to mount a 10-6 run.
The Cats made their last three field goals heading into the break.
Kentucky held a 44-26 lead at halftime, holding Purdue to 13 points in both the first and second quarter.
The Wildcats defense held Purdue to 9-28 (32.1%) from the field and 2-7 (28.6%) from 3-point range in the first half.
Kentucky shot 16-33 (48.5%) from the field and 6-13 (46.2%) from behind the arc in the first half.
The Wildcats held a slight edge on the boards at the break with 21 rebounds to Purdue’s 15.
Obi led the Wildcats scoring effort, with 13 points on 4-5 shooting at the break. Strack had 11 points with seven rebounds and three blocks.
Both teams were without a made field goal for the first 3:10 of the second half. The Wildcats started 0-4 and Purdue started 0-5 from the field.
Tonie Morgan put an end to the drought with a layup, Strack followed with a layup of her own on the following possession.
Purdue didn’t score its first points of the half until 4:37 had elapsed in the quarter.
Kentucky had another scoring drought, this time spanning just over three minutes. Purdue put together a 5-0 run in this span before Morgan ended the drought with two free throws.
Despite offensive inconsistencies in the third quarter, Kentucky still outscored Purdue 15-5 in the quarter. The Boilermakers were held to 2-18 (11.1%) shooting in the quarter.
This gave Kentucky a 59-31 lead entering the fourth quarter.
Kentucky ended the game on a 14-2 run in the final seven minutes of the game.
The Wildcats next game will be the first of a four game road trip. Kentucky will start with a ranked match up against in-state rival Louisville on Saturday, Nov. 22, with tip off scheduled for 2 p.m. ET.
