No. 7 Kentucky women’s basketball (17-2, 4-1 SEC) used an 8-2 run in the final two minutes to defeat Florida (12-8, 0-5 SEC) 94-89.
For the fifth time this season, and the 20th time in her career, Tonie Morgan finished with a double-double. Her 26 points set a season high, she also dished out 13 assists.
Clara Strack missed nearly 10 minutes in the second half with foul trouble. Despite this, she was able to finish with over 20 points for the fourth time this season. Strack finished with 21 points on 8-14 (57.1%) shooting, 3-4 (75%) on 3-pointers, she also grabbed five rebounds and tallied three blocks.
The Gators shot more efficiently than any team has against Kentucky all season. Florida shot 32-56 (57.1%) from the field and 9-20 (45%) from three. This 3-point percentage was the second most by a Kentucky opponent this season.
Kentucky wasn’t as efficient but still had a good offensive outing, shooting 34-62 (54.8%) from the field and 12-31 (38.7%) on 3-pointers.
The Wildcats got on the board first, with a Jordan Obi layup on the Cats first possession.
After tying the game at 2-2, Florida went scoreless for nearly four minutes. This allowed the Wildcats to take a 10 point lead. A Strack 3-pointer put Kentucky ahead 12-2, forcing a Florida time out halfway through the first quarter.
Florida found its rhythm on offense, unfortunately for the Gators Kentucky didn’t lose its rhythm. Morgan assisted Asia Boone on a 3-pointer before getting a steal on the next possession and scoring the transition layup, this gave Kentucky a 24-9 lead.
Kentucky held a 29-14 lead after one quarter.
The Cats had an incredibly efficient first quarter, UK shot 12-18 (66.7%) from the field and 5-8 (62.5%) on 3-pointers. Florida battled back from a slow start, shooting 6-12 (50%) from the field and 2-6 (33.3%) from behind the arc in the quarter.
Kentucky forced seven Florida turnovers, turning those into 12 points.
Florida made its first four shots of the second quarter, mounting a 10-2 run in the first two minutes of the quarter. This cut the Wildcats lead to seven.
Kentucky suffered a three minute scoring drought, allowing the Gators to pull back within two points. Florida made six of its first eight shots, turning a 15 point lead into a two point lead in five minutes.
Morgan drained a 3-pointer then made two free throws on the following possession, giving the Wildcats a 41-34 lead.
The Wildcats took a 45-38 lead into halftime, despite being outscored 24-16 in the second quarter.
Kentucky shot 18-35 (51.4%) from the field and 7-19 (36.8%) from behind the arc in the first half. Florida shot 14-26 (53.8%) from the field and 6-12 (50%) from three.
Morgan was the Wildcats offensive catalyst in the first half, leading the team in points and assists. She recorded 15 points on 6-7 shooting with seven assists.
The Cats held a 17-12 edge in the rebounding margin. Seven of these 17 rebounds were offensive, which Kentucky turned into eight second chance points.
Kentucky had two blocks and three steals in the half, Florida didn’t have any of either.
Florida mounted an 10-0 run to take a 57-55 lead, the Gators first lead of the game.
Strack was sent to the bench after recording her fourth foul of the game with three minutes remaining in the third quarter.
A 10-4 Florida run in the final two minutes of the third quarter sent the Gators into the fourth quarter with a 73-66 lead.
Florida’s offense was on fire for the entire third quarter. The Gators shot 11-13 (84.6%) from the field and 3-4 (75%) from three, totaling 35 points in the quarter.
The Wildcats started the fourth quarter with a 6-0 run, cutting the gators lead to one.
After sitting for nearly an entire quarter, Strack nailed a post fade in her first possession back on the court. This gave the Cats an 84-83 lead.
Boone sunk a mid-range pull up with 0:36 on the clock to give Kentucky a 90-87 lead.
Boone was sent to the line with 0:20 remaining in the game, she sunk both foul shots to give Kentucky a 92-87 lead.
Amelia Hassett was sent to the line with less than a second remaining. She made one of two to give Kentucky a 94-89 win.
This was the 66th meeting between Kentucky and Florida. With this win, Kentucky continues to build on the all-time dominance of Florida, moving to 39-27 in the series and 18-12 in games played in Lexington. Kentucky has now won five straight matchups against the Gators, seven of the last eight and 12 of the last 14.
The Wildcats will travel to Starkville, Mississippi, on Sunday Jan. 18 for their next game. Kentucky will take on Mississippi State with tip off scheduled for 3 p.m. ET.
