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Sara Potts poured in a career-high 30 points followed by 24 points by SeSe Helm.
The Kentucky women’s basketball team missed seven of 13 free throws in the finals minutes, falling to Ole Miss in double overtime, 90-88, despite a career-high 30 points from Sara Potts and 24 points from SeSe Helm.
The Wildcats (9-11, 1-6 Southeastern Conference) had a chance for the win in regulation when Amber Watts fouled Racquel Ellis with 15.5 seconds left in the game. UK led 68-66 with an opportunity to go up by four but Ellis hit one of the two free throws. The clock looked like it might expire when Ole Miss guard Carletta Brown nailed a desperation three-pointer at the buzzer.
“We fought hard and we’ve been playing hard the last few games but we just can’t get over that hump,” UK Coach Mickie DeMoss said. “This is the second time this year we’ve had someone hit a three-pointer at the buzzer against us and it’s just disappointing. Our post defense wasn’t very good either and they took advantage of that. Carol Ross has done a fabulous job in her first year and she’s done a great job with this team.”
In the first overtime, Ole Miss (13-8, 4-3 SEC) took its first lead since the first half, 71-69, on a trey by Ashley Johnson with 4:03 to go. Helm connected on a three-point play with 2:54 to regain the lead but Ole Miss again tied the game at 79 when Amber Terrell came off the bench and hit a layup with 29 seconds to go. UK’s attempt at the other end was then blocked by Terrell, sending the game into the second overtime.
The score continued to go back and fourth in the final five minutes when again, Terrell hit a jumper in the paint with three seconds left, giving Ole Miss the 90-88 lead. Potts attempted a long three-pointer at the buzzer but it was off the mark. The Lady Rebels are now 7-0 at home this season.
UK finished 23-of-32 from the charity stripe, including 6-of-11 in extra minutes. The Cats hit 30-of-63 from the floor for 47.6 percent. Ole Miss was 14-of-19 from the free throw line and shot 35-of-82 from the floor for 42.7 percent.
Potts scored a career-high 30 points after coming off a 29-point performance in her last game vs. Tennessee. Helm followed with 24 points on 10-of-17 shooting. Ellis came off the bench to record a season-high 10 points and a career-high seven rebounds. Angela Phillips dished out a career-high tying nine assists and played every minute of the game for the seventh straight time.
The first half saw six ties and four lead changes. UK was forced to go its bench early as Shambrica Jones and Danyelle Payne were whistled with two fouls each. The Cats didn’t slack off, however, shooting 58.3 percent from the floor compared to Ole Miss’ 33.3 percent. UK built a 23-14 lead on a 9-0 run with 7:52 remaining led by Helm’s 11 points. The Lady Rebels fought back to tie the game at 25 apiece with 4:40 to go when Ole Miss guard Genice Terry was charged with an intentional foul. Potts hit one of the two free throws followed by a three-pointer to give the Cats a 35-29 lead at the half. Potts ended the first half with 10.
Kentucky had 19 turnovers compared to 15 by Ole Miss. Both teams grabbed 42 rebounds.
The Lady Rebels were led by Terry and Armintie Price with 19 points each. Watts followed with 14. Price was the team’s leading rebounder with 11.
UK is now 15-15 all-time in overtime games, 1-2 this season. DeMoss is 1-4 in extra minutes. This marks UK’s first double overtime game since Feb. 23, 2002 vs. Alabama. UK is now 2-2 in double or triple overtime.
Ole Miss now leads the all-time series 18-5, including a 9-2 advantage when playing in Oxford.
The Wildcats return to Memorial Coliseum on Thursday, Feb. 5 to face No. 22/25 Auburn at 7 p.m. ET.
