The Wildcats Begin Southeastern Conference Action By Playing Host to Razorbacks
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky women’s basketball program will play host to Arkansas on Thursday, Jan. 4 at 7 p.m. ET at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. It will mark UK’s first Southeastern Conference game of 2023-24.
The game will be broadcast on SEC Network+, with Jeff Piecoro and Christi Thomas on the call. Big Blue Nation can also listen in to the play-by-play on UK Sports Network and / or 630 AM WLAP (locally), with the Voice of the Wildcats Darren Headrick on the mic.
The Wildcats are 7-7 this season, including 7-2 at home and 3-1 at Rupp Arena. The Cats enter conference action on a three-game winning streak, while they also have won five of their last seven games.
Kentucky is coming off a triumph over Samford, 72-59, on Dec. 31. UK moved to 7-0 when it has scored at least 70 points in 2023-24.
Ajae Petty, senior forward, led the team in scoring (22) and rebounding (13), while it marked her seventh double-double of nonconference action. She is one of just five players in the SEC to have at least seven double-doubles in the nonconference season, while she is second in the SEC in field-goal percentage (59.2) and second in the SEC and 10th in the nation in rebounds (138).
The Baltimore, Maryland, native also leads the team in scoring (15.9) and rebounding (9.9) on the season. Maddie Scherr (15.8) is the only other player averaging double-digit scoring. However, since returning from the Paradise Jam in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Kentucky has four players averaging double-digit scoring, including Petty (19.0), Scherr (17.4), Amiya Jenkins (13.0) and Saniah Tyler (11.6). Kentucky also is passing the ball more, averaging 16.4 assists per game – through seven games – since returning from the overseas trip.
The Razorbacks are one of the Wildcats three home-and-home opponents this season.
Arkansas ended the nonconference slate on a four-game winning streak to round out its first 15 games, 12-3. Taliah Scott is leading Arkansas with 23.0 points per game, while the SEC opponent also has three more double digit scorers. That includes Saylor Poffenbarger who averages 10.5 points per game and a team-lead 12.7 rebounds per game. The Razorbacks are putting up 72.9 points per game, holding their opponents to 63.5. The Backs lead the SEC and are 16th in the nation in 3-pointers per game (9.3).
Kentucky leads Arkansas, 26-15, in the all-time series, which began in 1983. Despite splitting two of the last four meetings, UK has won 12 of the last 14 matchups.
Big Blue Nation is encouraged to stay up to date with the nonconference schedule promotions and game themes. For the Kentucky-Arkansas game, the promotions and game themes are as follows:
PROMOTIONAL(S) / GAME THEMES
- SEC Home Opener: Join the University of Kentucky women’s basketball program as it plays host to Arkansas in the Southeastern Conference home opener in historic Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center.
- The 24-time national championship UK cheerleading team also will perform its national’s routine at halftime.
FAN PARKING
Big Blue Nation may park in the High Street lots beginning three hours prior to the tip time, with free parking provided to all fans attending the women’s basketball game.
For more information on the Kentucky women’s basketball team, visit UKathletics.com or follow @KentuckyWBB on X, Instagram and Facebook.
