The UK women’s basketball team lost its seventh straight game Thursday evening as the Cats fell to the Texas A&M Aggies 74-70.

The Cats haven’t won a game since Dec. 5, but this was the one of the closest times they have come to ending the losing streak. Kentucky only trailed by four at the end of the third quarter, which featured six lead changes in the quarter alone.

The Cats would trim Texas A&M’s lead down to two with nine seconds remaining after Alyssa Rice hit a layup. Keke McKinney would intentionally foul A&M’s Anriel Howard on the next possession, and Howard would build the Aggies’ lead back up to four after she made both of her free throws.

Howard was one of four Aggies to finish with double-digit points. Khaalia Hillsman led Texas A&M with 20 points, 10 of which came in the second half. Hillsman made all eight of her free throw attempts in the game, and only missed two of her eight attempted shots during the game. 

On UK’s next possession, the Cats would get the ball in the hands of Maci Morris, who had been Kentucky’s best player all night, but she turned the ball over, virtually sealing the game with four seconds remaining. That was Morris’ only turnover of the half after committing three in the first half.

Morris would lead the Cats with 22 points on 9-18 shooting. Kentucky had two more players finish with double-digit points, as Makenzie Cann scored 14 and Rice scored 10.

The Cats had several opportunities to take the lead near the end of the game, as they only trailed by four with 2:10 remaining. However, Morris would miss both of her shots on Kentucky’s next two possessions, and wouldn’t score again until Rice’s layup with nine seconds left.

Kentucky was also beat at the free throw line, as they made half as many free throws as Texas A&M made. The Aggies went 18-22 from the charity strip, which worked well in their advantage in the close game situation.

The Cats will next attempt to get back into the win column when they host Georgia on Jan. 7. Tipoff is at 2 p.m. at Memorial Coliseum