No. 11 Kentucky women’s basketball (17-4, 4-3 SEC) struggled with the aggressive defense of No. 17 Tennessee (14-3, 6-0 SEC) in a 60-58 loss.
Arguably the most defining quality of this year’s Tennessee team is its tough and aggressive defense that creates lots of turnovers and takes advantage of fastbreak opportunities, and that’s exactly what the Lady Vols did in this game. Tennessee forced 21 Wildcat turnovers and capitalized with 21 points off of turnovers.
The Lady Volunteers forced a turnover on Kentucky’s inbound attempt with 0:02 remaining in the game, spoiling the Wildcats opportunity to tie or win the game. A fitting ending to a game defined by the Wildcats inability to manage the Lady Volunteers defensive pressure.
Amelia Hassett was a bright spot for the Wildcats offense, leading the Cats in scoring. Hassett finished with 16 points on 5-10 (50%) shooting.
Jordan Obi finished with her third double-double of the season, scoring 14 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.
The Wildcats held a 43-35 lead in the rebounding column, but Tennessee still led in second chance points. The impact of rebounds was diminished by the discrepancy in turnovers.
The Wildcats found their first points after three and a half minutes had elapsed in the first quarter. This cut the Lady Vols early lead to 4-2.
After Tennessee scored on both of its first two possessions, the Lady Vols missed five straight field goals. The result was a three minute scoring drought from UT.
Once Tennessee got the shots to fall, it capitalized on a Kentucky turnover to make two shots in under a minute, giving the Lady Vols an 8-3 lead.
Lexi Blue was unable to get a shot off as time expired in the first quarter, leaving the Lady Volunteers with an 11-7 lead after one quarter.
Neither team had an effective quarter on the offensive end. Kentucky shot 3-14 (21.4%) from the field while Tennessee shot 4-16 (25%).
The difference in the quarter came in the turnover margin. Kentucky only had one more turnover than Tennessee with four, but the Cats failed to turn any of them into points while UT scored five points off turnovers.
Hassett drained a 3-pointer for her first points of the game. This gave UK a 15-13 lead, its first lead of the game.
Tennessee responded with a 6-0 run over a two and a half minute span, regaining a 19-15 lead.
The Lady Vols hit a three to pull ahead 27-18 with two minutes remaining in the first half, their largest lead of the game.
Tennessee took a 29-22 lead into halftime after outscoring the Cats in each of the first two quarters.
Both teams found some semblance of efficiency in the second quarter, at least in comparison to the first. The Wildcats shot 6-13 (46.2%) from the floor in the second quarter while the Lady Vols shot 6-16 (37.5%).
The discrepancy in the turnover margin only got worse in the second quarter, Kentucky turned it over six times in the quarter while Tennessee had just two.
The first half total was 10 Kentucky turnovers and five from Tennessee. The Lady Vols scored 12 points of turnovers while Kentucky recorded just three such points.
A large reason for the Lady Volunteers success forcing turnovers and converting them into points is the aggressiveness of their defense. Tennessee ran a full court press all half, making it difficult for the Cats to inbound and bring the ball up the court.
Obi stood out in the first half, leading the team in points and rebounds with seven of each.
The Cats reeled off a 4-0 run in the first two minutes of the second half, cutting the Lady Vols lead to three points.
Tennessee quickly responded with a 7-0 run in a minute and a half after scoring on three of four possessions, taking a 10 point lead and forcing a Wildcat timeout.
Kentucky turned out a 6-0 run in under a minute to keep the game within reach halfway through the third quarter, pulling back to within four points.
The Wildcats chipped away at the Lady Vols lead, outscoring Tennessee 18-12 in the third quarter, but Tennessee still held a 41-40 lead entering the final quarter of play.
The Lady Vols aggressiveness caught up with them in the third quarter, as UK shot 17 free throws in the quarter. Fortunately for Tennessee, Kentucky shot just 10-17 (58.8%) from the line.
Tennessee began the fourth quarter with a 5-0 run in the first two minutes, Hassett ended the run with a 3-pointer.
Hassett proceeded to convert an and-one opportunity in transition, tying the game at 46-46.
After two lead changes in the first three quarters, there was a lead change on four straight possessions halfway through the fourth quarter.
Tennessee mounted a 9-3 run late in the fourth quarter to take a 59-54 lead, forcing a Kentucky timeout with 2:52 remaining.
Kentucky came out of the timeout with a 4-0 run, finding points in the paint on back-to-back possessions, cutting the deficit to one point and forcing a Tennessee timeout.
Clara Strack missed a 3-pointer that would’ve given the Cats a one point lead, instead Tennessee was sent to the line holding a 60-58 lead with 0:09 remaining.
The Lady Vols missed both free throw attempts, giving Kentucky the opportunity to tie or take the lead.
A jump ball went in the direction of the Wildcats with 0:02 on the clock, giving UK one more attempt at a sideline out of bounds play to tie or win the game.
Fittingly, Tennessee forced a turnover on the final inbound to win the game 60-58.
This was the 79th meeting between Kentucky and Tennessee. Tennessee has dominated this series, holding a 62-17 lead. Tennessee holds a 29-4 lead in games played in Knoxville, Tennessee.
The Wildcats will be back at Historic Memorial Coliseum for their next contest. Kentucky will host Georgia on Sunday, Jan. 25, at noon ET.
