UK ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL POSTGAME NOTES
KENTUCKY VS. TENNESSEE
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2022
BRIDGESTONE ARENA – NASHVILLE, TENN.
 
Kentucky 83, No. 18/15 Tennessee 74 – FINAL
 
Team Records and Series Notes

• Kentucky has a 18-11 overall record this season, while Tennessee is 23-8 overall.  
  • Tennessee leads the all-time series in games played vs. Kentucky, 57-16.
  • Kentucky is 3-7 vs. Tennessee in SEC Tournament, including a 1-2 mark in SEC Tournament semifinal games.
  • Kentucky has won two of the last three meetings in the series and each of the last two in the tournament.
• This is the fifth time since 1986 that UK has been the seven seed in the event.
  • UK is 6-11 all-time in SEC Tournament semifinal games.
  • Kentucky holds a 40-42 (.487) all-time record in the SEC Tournament.
  • Kentucky had lost three straight semifinal games in the SEC Tournament before tonight’s win.  
  • Kyra Elzy is 3-1 in her two-year tenure in the SEC Tournament.
  • Sunday will e Kentucky’s sixth SEC Championship game appearance, sitting 1-5 overall.
• Kentucky is on an nine-game winning streak all against league foes.
  • This is the longest winning streak for Kentucky against conference opponents since the 2011-12 team won 10 straight games to start league play.
  • This is the longest winning streak overall for Kentucky since 2018-19.
• Kentucky is in its 48th season with a 882-568 (.606) all-time record.
• Kyra Elzy is in her second season as the head coach of the Wildcats, holding a 36-20 overall record.
• Kentucky will be back in action Sunday, March 6 vs. South Carolina in the finals of the SEC Tournament. The game will tip at approx. 2 p.m. ET on ESPN2.   

 
Team Notes

• Kentucky used the starting combination of senior guards Rhyne Howard and Jazmine Massengill, sophomore forward Treasure Hunt and Nyah Leveretter, and freshman guard Jada Walker.
  • This is the eighth time that UK has used this starting combination this season. UK is 8-0 with this combination.
  • Jada Walker scored first for Kentucky in the game. It was the ninth time this season she has scored first.
  • Dre’una Edwards was the first sub for Kentucky. It was the 10th time she has been the first Wildcat off the bench.
  • Kentucky lost the opening tip. It was the 19th time that UK has lost the opening tip.  
• Kentucky came out of the gates on fire. UK did miss its first three shots, but then made five straight, including four of those from long range.
  • UK was up 14-3 with 6:26 to go in the first quarter, forcing a Tennessee timeout.
  • UT started 1-of-6 from the field.
  • Four of UK’s first five makes were assisted in the game.
  • Kentucky grabbed six of the first eight rebounds in the game.
• The Wildcats led 22-13 at the end of the first quarter thanks to a Rhyne Howard 3 at the buzzer.
  • Tennessee went 5-of-12 from the field and 0-of-1 from 3 in the first quarter.
  • Kentucky went 8-of-19 from the field and 6-of-9 from 3 in the first quarter.
  • UK led the rebounding margin 10-9 at the end of the first quarter, including a 3-1 edge in offensive rebounds.
  • Tennessee had just six paint points in the first quarter, while UK had four.
• After missing two of its first nine shots, Tennessee made 10 of its next 12 across the end of the first quarter and beginning of the second quarter.
• Tennessee won the second quarter 24-22 and had cut UK’s lead to 36-34 with 2:08 to go, but UK ended the half on a 8-3 run to take a 44-37 lead into the break at halftime.
  • UT was 11-of-18 from the field in the second quarter, including 2-of-4 from 3.
  • Kentucky was 8-of-20 from the field in the second quarter, including 3-of-6 from long range.
  • Tennessee had 12 paint points in the second quarter.
  • UT won the rebounding in the second quarter 10-8.
  • Kentucky was 9-of-15 from 3 in the first half getting two each from Howard, Benton, Walker and Hunt.
  • UK had a 10-5 edge in second-chance points in the first half.
• UK won the third quarter 17-16 after shooting 7-of-17 from the field and just 1-of-6 from 3.
  • Tennessee was 7-of-20 from the field and 1-of-1 from 3.
  • UT had 10 paint points in the third quarter.
  • Kentucky was 2-of-5 from the free-throw line in the quarter.
• Kentucky won the fourth quarter 22-21 to seal the win.
  • UK was 7-of-14 from the field in the fourth quarter and 2-of-3 from 3.
  • Tennessee was 8-of-16 from the field in the quarter.
• UK lost the paint points 42-28.
• Kentucky hit a season-high 12 3s in the game, going 12-of-24.

 
Player Notes

• Rhyne Howard scored 24 points with seven assists, nine rebounds and two 3s.

  • For her career, Howard has scored 2,255 career points sitting second in UK history in points scored. She is second all-time in Kentucky history – men’s and women’s – in points scored.   
  • Howard ranks second in school history in career scoring average at 20.1, while she is second in field-goals made with 781, first in career 3s made with 281 and fourth in career 3-point field-goal percentage at 38.3. She is also fourth in UK history in steals per game at 2.321.
  • In 112 career games, Howard has …
    • Hit at least one 3 in 97 career games, including 24 times this season.
    • Made three or more 3s in 47 career games, including 10 this season.
    • Made five or more 3s in 17 career games, including five times this season.
    • Scored 10+ points in 100 career game, including 26 times this season.
    • Scored 15+ points in 83 career games, including 24 times this season.
    • Scored 20+ points in 61 career games, including 17 times this season.
    • Scored 25+ points in 33 career games, including seven times this season.
    • Scored 30+ points in 10 career games, including three this season.
    • Led UK in scoring in 72 career games, including 18 times this season.
    • Led UK in rebounding in 60 career games, including 15 times this season.
    • Led UK in assists in 40 career games, including 11 times this season.
    • Led UK in steals in 49 career games, including 18 times this season.
    • Led UK in blocks in 44 career games, including 13 times this season.
    • Has 27 career double-doubles, including 10 this season.
    • Has 1 triple double.
• Dre’una Edwards scored eight points with seven rebounds, adding two steals and hitting a 3.   
• Jazmine Massengill scored eight points with three rebounds, five assists and two steals.   
• Robyn Benton scored 16 points with two rebounds and hit four 3s.  
  • Her four 3s in the game were a new season high.
  • It marked the second time this season and 10th time in her career she has hit three or more 3s.
  • She has scored 10 or more points in three straight games and four of the last six.
• Jada Walker scored 16 points with six rebounds, two assists and two 3s.
  • Walker has scored 10 or more points in 16 games this season.
  • She has six or more rebounds in three of the last four games.
• Treasure Hunt scored 11 points, hitting three 3s in the game with four rebounds.
  • Hunt has hit multiple 3s in back-to-back games for the first time this season.
  • She has scored 10+ points in back-to-back games.