Another Top-20 Road Matchup Thursday for No. 19 Kentucky
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The No. 19 University of Kentucky women’s basketball team hits the road for the second straight game to face a top-20 nationally ranked opponent as the Wildcats and No. 17 Georgia will tip at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday in Stegeman Coliseum.
The game vs. Georgia will be televised on SEC Network with Courtney Lyle and Carolyn Peck on the call. The action can be seen through WatchESPN on computers, smartphones or tablets. Darren Headrick will have the call on the UK Sports Network on 630AM WLAP in Lexington. Live stats and free live audio will be available online at UKathletics.com.
Thursday’s game marks the third time in the last four games the Wildcats have faced a top-20 opponent, starting with its win against No. 16 Tennessee. The Wildcats then traveled to Florida to earn a victory before falling to No. 2 South Carolina in their last outing Sunday in Columbia. The postponement of the LSU game last week has flipped Kentucky’s February schedule to basically become one big road trip as the Wildcats will play four of six on the road with 17 days separating its home games during the month.
Kentucky (15-6, 8-5 Southeastern Conference) is coming off a disappointing 76-55 loss at highly ranked South Carolina on Sunday. It was the first time this season that only one Wildcat has scored in double figures. UK’s 55 points was its second-fewest this season. Rhyne Howard led Kentucky with 12 points and six rebounds, hitting two 3s. Chasity Patterson scored nine points, while Jazmine Massengill has six points and five assists with two 3s made.
Howard is having a national player of the year type of year as the only player in the SEC to lead her team in scoring, rebounding and assists. The guard is averaging 19.3 points per game, 7.2 rebounds per game and has 66 assists. She is second on the team with 36 steals and third with 14 blocks. Howard has hit 40 3-pointers this season. Patterson is averaging 12.9 points per game and ranked top-10 nationally in steals and steals per game. Earlier this week, Patterson was named a semifinalist for the Naismith Women’s Defensive Player of the Year award.
Georgia enters the game with a 17-4 record, including a 9-4 mark in league play. The Bulldogs are 9-2 at home this season with the only losses coming to LSU and Mississippi State. Jenna Staiti is leading the team with 13.8 points per game and 7.9 rebounds per game, while Gabby Connally is averaging 12.4 points per game with 62 assists and 33 steals. Que Morrison is the final Bulldog averaging double figures with 11.1 points per game and team highs with 73 assists and 42 steals.
Thursday will be the 58th all-time meeting between Kentucky and Georgia in women’s basketball. The Bulldogs lead the all-time series 37-20 overall, including a 17-7 mark in games played in Athens. UK has won six of the last seven meetings in the series. Last season, UK won 88-77 inside Memorial Coliseum. Rhyne Howard scored 25 points in the game, hitting four 3s. Staiti scored 22 points with eight rebounds and a block. UK’s last loss at Stegeman Coliseum was 56-58 on Jan. 20, 2014. Kentucky has won three straight in the building, two by double digits. On March 3, 2019, UK won 58-53 at UGA.
For more information on the Kentucky women’s basketball team, visit UKathletics.com or follow @KentuckyWBB on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
– GO CATS –
For more information contact:
Evan Crane; wesley.crane@uky.edu; (859) 257-8431
Cami Moore; camiran.moore@uky.edu; (859) 257-8431
UK ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PRE-GEORGIA NEWS CONFERENCE
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2021
JOE CRAFT CENTER – LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY
Kentucky Head Coach Kyra Elzy
On Georgia’s post presence, including Jenna Staiti…
“You are correct, the gauntlet continues. (Jenna) Staiti is playing extremely well. She’s a big-body post. She can score over both shoulders. We’ll have to work not to let her have a deep position. I did think we did a better job against (Aliyah) Boston, as far as bringing the double, playing out of it. So, we’re going to have to do that again, and we’re going to have to make her a passer when she kicks out of the double, and when the shot goes up, make sure we’re getting a box out.”
On this being a big game in terms of seeding…
“We’re always worried about seeding and positioning, and it’s something that we talk about all year, not just for this game. But, the players do understand the importance of this game. One, because it’s the next game on our schedule, but for seeding purposes. However, not just trying to focus on the outcome of the game, really right now, trying to set our mindset on the things that we need to do in order to play the game that we need to play.”
On if you expect Rhyne (Howard) to pick up more of the scoring load heading into the postseason…
“Well, Rhyne (Howard) will play a big factor in scoring. But, I continue to say this, when we are out our best, it’s because we have a balanced scoring attack. When we have a post presence, when Dre’una Edwards or Olivia Owens or Tatyana Wyatt is scoring inside, KeKe McKinney continues to score the 3 well, Blair Green or Robyn Benton, keeping Jazmine Massengill aggressive, and then Chasity Patterson has been steady all year, but we have to have balanced scoring to keep the defense honest.”
On rebounding off South Carolina and attitude going into Georgia game…
“Well, it was a tough night for us. Obviously, a disappointing showing. Not the outcome that we wanted, obviously, but our approach with the team and the staff is we have to have a short memory right now. You know, we had to go back, look at the South Carolina game, there were areas in which we can improve, there were areas that we did some things better, and it carried over from practice, so now you have to put your focus on Georgia. We have to lay South Carolina to rest. Learn from it, move on and our focus is now on Georgia.”
On if you’ll consider choosing a smaller lineup over depth…
“Well, that’s a great question. Well one, whoever is performing, you have to leave them on the court. That’s the name of the game, you have to be able to produce. But, our depth has been a big factor for us all year. So, right now we will continue to using our rotation, playing our depth, and if we have to tighten the rotation, we will, but you just go with the flow of the game, and that’s a game time decision.”
On if you think Kentucky has an advantage in the NCAA Tournament with the way your team is structured and no home atmospheres…
“Well, I’m glad that you love to look way ahead and you have time on your hands to do that. I love it. Um, but for a coach, you’re right. I am trying to keep my focus on Georgia right now. But, as far as when you get to the NCAA Tournament, if you have the opportunity to play, you know, at that time, anything can happen. It is all about match ups. There’s not going to be a home court advantage, but in March, it’s survive and advance. You play the best basketball and you just hope that your team is peaking at the right time, and you get the right matchups. So, March is a mix of luck with the draw, of peeking, playing well, so there’s a lot of variables that will go into it.”
On if the team is healthy…
“Things are looking good from that aspect. Do not jinx us. Keep your fingers crossed and prayers up, but so far, so good.”
