Dec. 4, 2009
Team Records and Series Notes
- Kentucky moves to 8-0 with the win, while Cincinnati is now 4-3.
- With the victory, Kentucky equals the 2005-06 squad for the second-best start in school history at 8-0. UK’s best start in school history is 9-0 during the 1980-81 campaign.
- Kentucky has won 14 of its last 15 games against non-conference opponents.
- Matthew Mitchell’s career mark improves to 71-61, including a 41-32 record at Kentucky. Mitchell is 2-0 all-time against Cincinnati.
- Kentucky improves to 19-6 in the Cincinnati series, with the Wildcats taking a 6-5 advantage in games played in the Queen City. It marks the first UK win against the Bearcats in Cincinnati since 1999. The Wildcats move to 67-30 all-time against teams from the BIG EAST.
- UK owns a 583-447 all-time record in 36 years of varsity women’s basketball
- Up next: UK Hoops plays host to Florida A&M Sunday, Dec. 13 at 1 p.m. EST at Memorial Coliseum. The game will be televised live on the Big Blue Sports Network and FSN South.
Team Game Notes
- Kentucky’s defense caused 25 Bearcat turnovers, including 17 in the first half, and has forced 20 or more turnovers in six of eight games this season. The Wildcats have forced their opponents into 25 or more miscues in each of their last five games.
- UK recorded 13 steals and has recorded double-digit steals in five games this season, including four straight.
- Kentucky has held seven of its eight opponents under 60 points, including six in a row.
- The Wildcats outscored the Bearcats 36-18 in the paint and have outscored their foes 146-67 inside during the past five games.
- Kentucky shot 40.9 percent from the field (27-of-66) and has shot 40 percent or better in seven of eight games this season.
- UK held UC to 44. Percent shooting (20-of-45) and has not allowed an opponent to shoot over 50 percent this season.
- Key Run: UK lost a six-point halftime lead (32-26) when Cincinnati raced out on a 21-7 run for a 47-39 advantage with 12:51 remaining. However, the Wildcats responded with an 11-0 run to take a 50-47 on a Carly Morrow three-pointer at 8:47. After UC fought for a 53-52 advantage, Kentucky closed the contest on a 16-4 spurt — thanks in part to eight points from senior Lydia Watkins – for a 68-57 victory.
- Kentucky hit five three-pointers and has now hit a three-pointer in 192 consecutive games, dating back to 2003-04.
- Four Wildcats reached double figures in scoring, led by Watkins’ 18 points. Kentucky has placed at least four players in double digits in four of eight games this season.
- UK has scored at least 65 points in every game this season.
- For the eighth consecutive game Coach Mitchell started Amber Smith, Victoria Dunlap, Amani Franklin, Carly Morrow, A’dia Mathies.
Individual Game Notes
- Senior guard Lydia Watkins registered a standout performance for Kentucky, leading all scorers with a career-high 18 points on 6-of-7 shooting. She came up one rebound shy of her second career double-double with nine boards. Watkins was perfect from the foul line in six attempts and tied a career-high with three steals. She helped spark UK to a 32-26 halftime lead with eight points on 4-of-5 shooting in the first half. Watkins sat out the first three games of the season due to a shoulder injury.
- Junior guard Carly Morrow reached double figures for the fourth time this season with 13 points. She made a trio of three-pointers in the contest, her fourth game with multiple treys this year.
- Junior guard Amber Smith scored 11 points on 5-of-9 shooting to go with three assists. Smith has scored in double figures in five of eight games this season. She is averaging 4.0 assists over the last four games.
- Junior forward Victoria Dunlap charted 10 points on 5-of-10 shooting to go with seven rebounds, four steals and three blocks against Cincinnati.
- Dunlap moves into sixth place on UK’s career blocks list with 82. She passes both Rita Adams (1999-2003) and Shantia Owens (1998-2000) who posted 81 blocks.
- Dating back to last season, Dunlap has scored in double digits in 15 consecutive games and has swiped at least one steal in 14 consecutive games.
- Freshman guard A’dia Mathies grabbed four offensive rebounds against the Bearcats. She has pulled down at least four total rebounds in seven of eight contests this year.
- enior guard Amani Franklin grabbed seven rebounds against UC. She is averaging 8.7 rebounds over the last three games.