LEXINGTON, Ky. ? Kentucky seniors Nastassia Alcius (Lexington, Ky.), Jennifer Humphrey (Memphis, Tenn) and Jenny Pfeiffer (North Vernon, Ind.), playing in their final regular-season home game and all three starting together for the first time this season, combined for 37 points and 18 rebounds to lead the Wildcats to an 87-60 win over Arkansas in Rupp Arena Sunday. Sophomore point guard Carly Ormerod (Louisville, Ky.) led all scorers with a career-high 23 points.
The Wildcats (17-11, 6-7 Southeastern Conference) shot a season-high 60.7 percent (34-of-56) from the floor in the game and had four players register double-figure point totals for the second consecutive time. UK also connected on 50 percent (7-of-14) of its three-pointers, shot 75.0 percent from the free throw line (12-of-16) and out-rebounded the Lady Backs (18-10, 3-9 SEC) 42-36. The 27-point league win marked the Cats? largest since defeating Arkansas by 29 last season in Fayetteville for the school?s biggest SEC win in program history. UK held Arkansas to just 25 second-half points.
“I thought it was probably our best offensive game that we?ve had all year,” UK Coach Mickie DeMoss said. “We shot the ball extremely well. I thought it was very special for our seniors, for them to step in and give us a start like that, and then our bench people coming in, we got contributions from a lot of people tonight. I?m really pleased with the way we were able to maintain the lead. We had a few let-ups, but nothing that really deterred our game. In the second half, I thought Carly Ormerod really gave us a spark there in the start of the second half. I?m really pleased with our effort today, and I?m very happy for our seniors.”
Humphrey notched her sixth double-double of the season and the 14th of her career with 16 points and 16 rebounds. Pfeiffer had 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting with four three-pointers and junior center Sarah Elliott (McKee, Ky.) added 13 points. Elliott and Humphrey led a dominant post presence that out-scored Arkansas 42-22 in points in the paint.
Alcius, Humphrey and Pfeiffer were each honored prior to tip-off with framed jerseys along with senior managers Emily Jones and Frederick Perry.
Kentucky broke a 5-all tie with a 14-0 run over the next 2:41 to take a 19-5 lead on a three-pointer by Alcius. Pfeiffer had five points during that stretch. Arkansas scored eight of the game?s next 10 points to come within eight, 21-13 with 10:50 left until halftime. From there, the Wildcats went on a 15-1 run to go up 36-14 at the 6:14 mark after four consecutive baskets. Pfeiffer sparked the run with two three-pointers during the sizeable run. The Lady Backs, however, didn?t fade away. They used an 18-2 run to come as close as six points, 40-34, with 2:11 left until intermission.
The Wildcats held a 47-35 lead at intermission after shooting 60.7 percent (17-of-28) from the floor in the opening period, a season high. The Cats hit nine three-pointers, including four by Pfeiffer.
In the second half, Kentucky quickly extended its advantage back out to 15 points after a three-pointer and a lay-up by Ormerod. Leading 61-46 with 13:42 remaining in the game, the Wildcats used a 6-0 run that was capped off by a Humphrey jumper to move their lead to 21, 67-46, with 12:17 left. UK led by as many as 29 points, 87-58, with 1:54 remaining on a jumper by freshman Brittany Edelen (Springfield, Ky.).
Donica Cosby led the Lady Backs with 14 points, while Lauren Ervin, one of only two players in the SEC averaging a double-double, charted 11 points and a team-high 10 rebounds.
After a much-needed bye week, the Wildcats return to action Sunday, Feb. 25, for its final regular-season game of the year in Gainesville, Fla. Tip-off vs. the Gators is slated for 3 p.m. EST and the game will be carried live on the Big Blue Sports Network (radio) with Neil Price. The SEC Tournament is March 1-4 in Duluth, Ga.
