Chapel Hill, N.C. — The University of Kentucky women’s basketball team was once again plagued by turnovers, committing 31 in route to a lopsided 102-64 defeat by No. 24 North Carolina. It was the second straight 30-plus turnover game for Kentucky.
The Tar Heels jumped out to a 58-19 lead at the half paced by senior Nikki Teasley’s 16 points, including three three-pointers. UNC forced 22 turnovers, nailed seven treys and held UK leading scorers SeSe Helm and Rita Adams to a combined four points all in the opening stanza.
The Cats came out on fire in the second half going on an 8-0 run, closing the margin to 31 points. However, Kentucky could not get any closer. The Cats reached their first half point total with only nine minutes removed from the half. The 45-point total for Kentucky in the second half more than doubled the 19-point tally for the first.
For the Cats, freshman Keiko Tate scored a game- and career-high 13 points, followed by Helm and Sara Potts with 12 and 11, respectively. Junior guard Rita Adams dished out a new career-high nine assists in the Wildcat effort.
“North Carolina came out and played well,” UK Coach Bernadette Mattox said. “They took advantage of our turnovers. But, I’m pleased with the way we came out in the second half. We came out with fire and I like this team’s attitude. They know what they are capable of doing.”
The Cats haven’t allowed 100 points in a game since January 24, 2001, when the Cats gave up 110 to Tennessee.
“They were very athletic,” Mattox said. “This was their seventh game and our fourth. We will only continue to get better after playing a game like this.”
The Tar Heels had four players in double figures, led by Teasley’s 21 points. Candace Sutton and Coretta Brown dropped in 12 points apiece and Nikita Bell followed with 11.
“It was another team effort,” North Carolina Coach Sylvia Hatchell said. “It was a good balanced scoring attack and I’m proud of our defense tonight.”
UNC shot 54.8 percent on 40-of-73 shooting while UK hit 24-of-60 for 40 percent. The Tar Heels improve to 6-1 on the year while Kentucky falls to 2-2.
The Cats return to home to take on the Miami Hurricanes on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. in Memorial Coliseum.
