At the buzzer: No. 14 Kentucky womens basketball upsets No. 6 Alabama 71-58; advances to Elite Eight

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Carter Skaggs

Kentucky Wildcats guard Maddie Scherr (22) passes the ball during the Kentucky vs. Florida womens basketball game in the first round of the SEC Tournament on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. Photo by Carter Skaggs | Staff

Samantha Money, Assistant Sports Editor

No. 14 Kentucky womens basketball took down No. 6 Alabama 71-58 during the second round of the SEC Tournament in Greenville, South Carolina.

The win comes after the Wildcats promptly upset the Florida Gators 72-57 last night during the first round of the tournament.

Before the Cats came to Greenville, Kentucky was in the midst of a seven-game losing streak, with its loss to the Crimson Tide occurring during that period.

The Wildcats came up short against Alabama 72-65 on Feb. 9 when Jada Walker led Kentucky with 15 points.

Kentucky Wildcats players huddle during the Kentucky vs. Florida womens basketball game in the first round of the SEC Tournament on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. Photo by Carter Skaggs | Staff (Carter Skaggs)

Determined to leave with the win this time around, the Cats and the Crimson Tide tipped off inside Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

It was Adebola Adeyeye who notched the first basket of the game for Kentucky, followed by Walker putting up six points within the first five minutes of the starting whistle.

On Alabama’s side, Hannah Barber proved early on she was going to be a threat for the Cats, notching two 3-pointers in the first quarter.

Kentucky would begin to fall behind the Crimson Tide as it struggled to complete a field goal for the final four minutes of the first quarter.

While the Cats’ offensive struggles seeped into the next quarter, their defense held Alabama to completing just one of seven field goals for a stretch.

With a low-scoring 11 points put up in the second quarter, Kentucky trailed Alabama by six entering the second half.

Robyn Benton, who led Kentucky against Florida with 20 points, finished the first half with zero points from her five field goal attempts.

Kentucky Wildcats guard Jada Walker (11) attempts to squeeze through Florida players to shoot during the Kentucky vs. Florida womens basketball game in the first round of the SEC Tournament on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. Photo by Carter Skaggs | Staff (Carter Skaggs)

With the Wildcats currently shooting 39.3% from the field, Alabama was not having its best offensive night either, but the Crimson Tide had the boost of five baskets made from beyond the arc.

Looking to have a stronger second half, Kentucky successful kept up with Alabama, but struggled to put up those couple extra baskets to close the gap.

The duo of Walker and Scherr began to pick up the pace for the Cats and a lay-up by Eniya Russell tied up at the game 40.

Going into the fourth and final quarter, Walker made up for half of Kentucky’s 44 points while the Cats’ defense had forced 16 turnovers on Alabama.

The Cats continued to hit a hot streak as a 3-pointer from Petty put the Cats up by six, but Alabama was there to talk back with two quick 3-pointers of its own.

With three minutes left in the game, Kentucky furthered its lead over the Crimson Tide to go on to keep it until the final buzzer.

Kentucky will advance to round three of the SEC tournament where it will take on No. 3 Tennessee on Friday, March 3, after the conclusion of game nine which should be around 8:30 p.m. EST. The game can be streamed on the SEC Network.