Wildcats Play Host to Bisons on Thursday at 11 a.m. ET Rupp Arena
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky women’s basketball program will play host to Lipscomb on Thursday, Dec. 21 at 11 a.m. ET at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center for its final game before the Christmas break. Fans attending the game are encouraged to grab a free temporary tattoo at the entrance, as the the program celebrates 90s day as a part of its ongoing jubilee for the 50th anniversary.
The game will be broadcast on SEC Network+, with Jeff Piecoro and Christi Thomas on the call. Big Blue Nation can also listen in to the play-by-play on UK Sports Network and / or 630 AM WLAP (locally), with the Voice of the Wildcats Darren Headrick on the mic.
The Wildcats are 5-7 this season, including 5-2 at home and 2-1 at Rupp Arena. Thursday’s mid-morning contest will mark the team’s final nonconference game in Rupp Arena this season, before it hosts its entire Southeastern Conference schedule in the historic and renovated arena.
Kentucky is coming off a 30-point win over Furman, 75-45, at Rupp Arena last Sunday, a game that UK shot a season-high 54.5 percent from the field (31-of-57) and went 41.2 percent from long range (7-of-17). Those seven 3-pointers tied for the second most in 2023-24.
In that game, four players scored in double digits, including two bench players, as the Cats moved to 5-0 when at least four players score in double digits this season. Two of those players helped the Cats record a season-high 31 bench points in the contest. UK also dished out a season-high 20 assists and made a season-high 12 steals against FU.
Saniah Tyler, a sophomore guard, led Kentucky in scoring, and came off the bench to do so, putting up 17 points on 6-of-8 from the field and 3-of-3 from the arc. She is currently sixth in the SEC in three-point field-goal percentage (33.8), while she has made at least one 3-pointer in all 12 games this season. Ajae Petty was right behind her with 16 points, also adding a team-high nine rebounds, as the senior forward ranks second in the conference in both field-goal percentage (61.5) and rebounds (119).
Kentucky will face a Lipscomb team that is coming off a loss to SEC-foe Vanderbilt, 72-50, in Nashville last Sunday. The Bisons have four players averaging double-digit scoring, including Bella Vinson (11.8), Aleah Sorrentino (11.0), Blythe Pearson (10.4) and Molly Heard (10.1). Sorrentino also is leading in rebounds (6.5). As a team, the Bisons are putting up 65.3 points per game, averaging 39.1 percent from the field and 33.5 percent from the arc in 2023-24.
Kentucky leads Lipscomb in the all-time series, 2-0, which began in 2007. UK also leads LU in games played in Lexington, 1-0.
Big Blue Nation is encouraged to stay up to date with the nonconference schedule promotions and game themes. For the Kentucky-Lipscomb game, the promotions and game themes are as follows:
PROMOTIONAL(S) / GAME THEMES
- Temporary tattoo giveaway
- 90s Night: Go back in time with the women’s basketball program, as Kentucky celebrates its greatest moments from its third decade of varsity status. Expect to jam all morning to the best 90s tunes, too!
FAN PARKING
Big Blue Nation may park in the High Street lots beginning three hours prior to the tip time, with free parking provided to all fans attending the women’s basketball game.
For more information on the Kentucky women’s basketball team, visit UKathletics.com or follow @KentuckyWBB on X, Instagram and Facebook.
