Kentucky, RV/24 Vanderbilt to Battle on Thursday at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky women’s basketball program will play host to RV/24 Vanderbilt on Thursday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. ET at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. The Wildcats will continue their ongoing celebration of their 50th anniversary by giving away 2000s-inspired trucker hats to the first 500 fans in attendance, which features a former mascot logo. The Cats also are hosting Heroes Day, with free tickets available to military service members and first responders (see ticket information below).

The game will be broadcast on SEC Network+, with Jeff Piecoro and Richard Hendrix on the call. Big Blue Nation also can 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.

Kentucky is 8-8 on the season – including 8-2 at home and 4-1 in Rupp Arena – and 1-1 in the Southeastern Conference. UK is riding a four-game win streak at home, including its most recent home game against Arkansas, 73-63, in the league opener on Jan. 4.

The Wildcats are off to a hot start offensively in league action, holding at least a 10-point lead at halftime in each of their league games in 2024. In fact, the Cats held as much as a 14-point lead at halftime in their win against Arkansas and as much as a 17-point lead at halftime in their loss at Tennessee.

Ajae Petty, a senior forward, is leading the team in scoring overall this season (16.1) and in league action (18.0). She is also leading the team overall in rebounding (10.7) and in steals (20). She is one of just three players in the conference to have at least nine double-doubles this season, while she is coming off three straight double-doubles, including her 14 points and 14 rebounds in Knoxville.

Her teammate and fellow Baltimore, Maryland, native Eniya Russell is also averaging double-digit scoring in league action thus far (12.5). The senior guard led her team in scoring for the fourth time this season down in Knoxville, posting 16 points in the loss.

The Wildcats are at their best when they’re passing the ball, as evident by their nine assists and 50.0 percent shooting in the first half at UT and their one assist and 23.0 percent shooting in the second half at UT. Fortunate for the Cats, since returning from the Paradise Jam in the U.S. Virgin Islands, they’re averaging 15.4 assists per game and 54.5 percent of their points have come off assists in that timeframe, which ranks in the top half of the SEC. They’re 5-0 this season when they dish out at least 15 assists.

Kentucky narrowly trails the all-time series with Vanderbilt, 32-27, while it leads in games played in Lexington, 15-11. UK is riding a three-game win streak over VU at home, with its last loss over VU in the Bluegrass occurring on Jan. 28, 2016.

Vanderbilt is 15-1 overall and 2-0 in league action in 2023-24. Its lone loss on the season is a common opponent with the Blue and White, dropping at NC State, 70-62, on Nov. 29, just six days after the UK-NC State game. Vanderbilt has wins at Mississippi State and against Florida in the SEC, earning a five-point and six-point triumph over the foes, respectively.

Jordyn Cambridge is leading the Commodores in scoring (14.9) and is second on the team in rebounding (7.4). Sacha Washington leads the team in rebounding (8.1) and is second on the team in scoring (13.8). Iyanna Moore also is averaging double-digit scoring (11.2). The Dores are ranked in the top five in the league in assists (16.1), assists/turnover ratio (1.12), steals per game (12.2), three-point percentage (33.3), three-point percentage defense (28.1), turnover margin (5.6), turnovers forced per game (19.9) and turnovers per game (14.3).

Big Blue Nation is encouraged to stay up to date with the nonconference schedule promotions and game themes. For the Kentucky-Vanderbilt game, the promotions and game themes are as follows:

PROMOTIONAL(S) / GAME THEMES

• 2000s’ inspired “trucker hat” giveaway to the first 500 fans
• Everyday Heroes: The program will recognize and celebrate “everyday heroes” throughout the game. Also, military service members and first responders can receive free tickets for themselves and one guest.
  • Email WeAreUK@uky.edu to inquire about the free tickets.

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.