LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky used a 21-0 run early in the second half to capture its second straight win and defeat Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 83-46, in Rupp Arena. Senior guard Jenny Pfeiffer (North Vernon, Ind.) led three players in double-figure scoring with 15 points while senior forward/center (Memphis, Tenn.) Jennifer Humphrey pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds.
Kentucky, which led the Lady Lions (0-9) 83-46 at halftime, allowed a UAPB three-pointer out of the break then went on a season-high 21-0 run over the next eight minutes. The Cats went ahead 53-21 with 11:50 remaining in the game and never looked back.
The Wildcats (6-3) were especially impressive from the free-throw line, shooting 83.3 percent (25-of-30), a season-high. Sophomore point guard Carly Ormerod (Louisville, Ky.), who scored 12 points in the game, hit 6-of-6 from the line and has now hit 14 consecutive free-throws dating back the Louisville game on Dec. 3. Junior guard Samantha Mahoney (Detroit) also added 12 points, hitting 4-of-5 from the charity stripe. Pfeiffer nailed four three-pointers in the game and was a perfect 3-of-3 from the free-throw line.
“We did a good job of maintaining our competitiveness even when the score got a little lopsided,” UK Coach Mickie DeMoss said. “I thought we got some of our young players some good minutes tonight. We had a goal to hold them to 45 points and we held them to 46. We had a goal for score 82 (points) and we scored 83. I thought we did some good things pushing the ball. I was very pleased with our defense tonight.”
The Kentucky post presence proved to be a key component in the Wildcats’ arsenal as well as they out-scored the Lady Lions 32-16 in points in the paint. Arkansas-Pine Bluff had just two players taller than 6-feet.
The Wildcats began building an early advantage by breaking out to a 12-2 lead to start the game. After the Lady Lions came within four, 12-8, Kentucky expanded its lead back to 10 (18-8) on a pair of charity shots by Ormerod. Senior guard Nastassia Alcius (Lexington, Ky.) nailed a three-pointer and Pfeiffer followed with back-to-back treys to put UK up 30-15 with 1:06 left in the half.
The Wildcats took a 32-18 advantage into the locker room at halftime after holding Arkansas-Pine Bluff to 26.1 percent (6-of-23) shooting in the opening period.
“We worked on our press a little bit in the second half,” DeMoss said. “We were able to work on our zone press and do a few different things with that. We switched up our defenses a little bit and I was pleased with our work on the press.”
Humphrey’s 12 rebounds moved her into sole possession of eighth-place all-time on UK’s career rebound list. With two blocks in the game she also moved into sole possession of fifth-place on the school’s career blocks list.
Kentucky improves to 239-18 (93.0 percent) all-time when scoring 80 or more points, including a 19-2 mark under Mickie DeMoss.
Delores Hughley led Arkansas-Pine Bluff with a game-high 19 points, including five three-pointers.
Kentucky returns to action Tuesday, Dec. 19 when it plays host to Mississippi Valley State. Tip-off is set for 11:30 a.m. in Memorial Coliseum and the game will be carried live on the Big Blue Sports Network (radio) with Neil Price. It’s a Business Day Special and fans are admitted free by presenting their business cards. UK students, faculty and staff also are admitted free with valid identification.
Single-game general admission tickets are available for $5 adults/$2 senior citizens and children 6-18. Ages five and under are admitted free. For ticket information, log on to ukathletics.com or call the UK ticket office at 859-257-1818 or 1-800-928-CATS (2287).
The Mickie DeMoss radio show begins Monday, Dec. 11 from 8-8:30 p.m. The show will air live on WLAP 630 AM and the Big Blue Sports Network. Fans are encouraged to call in and ask questions of Coach DeMoss.
