Kenny Brooks Era Begins with Win Over USC Upstate
The Kenny Brooks Era tipped off in style on Monday night as the 22nd-ranked Kentucky women’s basketball team cruised past USC Upstate 98-43 inside Historic Memorial Coliseum.
Kentucky had five players in double figures in the win, led by Clara Strack, who scored a game-high 22 points. Strack added six rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocked shots.
Freshman Clara Silva had an impressive debut for the Cats. A native of Portugal, the 6-7 Silva made all six of her field goal attempts and both of her free throw attempts on her way to 14 points. Silva had seven rebounds, six blocked shots and two assists for UK.
Two other Cats also had 14 points apiece. Amelia Hassett hit four three-point shots on her way to that number, while Teonni Key had 14 points, nine rebounds, three blocked shots and a steal.
Preseason All-SEC guard Georgia Amoore had a double-double in her UK debut, scoring 11 points and dishing out 10 assists.
The game was tied early before the Cats went on a 9-0 run, sparked by four Amoore free throws, to lead 11-2. After Upstate cut it to six, 13-7, UK scored the next 11 points, four by Silva, four by Key and a three from Amoore, to lead 24-7. The Cats would lead 26-11 after 10 minutes of play.
Upstate scored the first four points of the second period before the Cats ran off 15 points in a row, including a pair of threes from Hassett. After Upstate got a bucket, Strack scored six in a row, capping a 21-2 run and giving UK a 47-17 advantage. Kentucky would lead 47-18 at the half.
The third quarter started with the Cats going inside to Strack, and the sophomore responded. Strack converted a basket and free throw, followed by a jumper in the lane. After an Upstate basket, Strack hit a pair of free throws, followed by a Key layup as Kentucky took a 56-20 lead. A pair of Silva free throws closed out the 11-2 run.
Upstate would hit consecutive threes before the Cats got a four-point play from Dazia Lawrence and a layup from Hassett to lead 64-26. Kentucky would hold a 75-35 lead through three quarters.
Kentucky would continue to stretch the lead in the fourth quarter, ending the game on a 9-0 run.
The Cats return to action on Thursday, hosting Northern Kentucky at Historic Memorial Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. ET and the game can be seen on SEC Network Plus.
