Strack Leads No. 17 Kentucky Past Georgia in SEC Second Round
No. 17 Kentucky needed its best players to play their best on Thursday in the Southeastern Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament against Georgia. As it turns out, UK’s best player had perhaps the best game of her career.
Clara Strack tied her career high with 33 points, made a career-high five three-pointers, grabbed eight rebounds, blocked three shots, had two assists and a steal as Kentucky beat Georgia 76-61. It was second-highest points total by a UK player in the SEC Tournament, behind only the legendary Valarie Still, who scored 34 in 1982.
Teonni Key had a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds for UK, while Tonie Morgan had 14 points and seven assists.
Georgia scored the first two points of the game before Kentucky got a basket from Strack and two Key layups to lead 6-2. After UGA got a three-point play, Strack did the same, then hit a three-pointer to extend the lead to 12-5.
The Lady Bulldogs scored four in a row to get within three before Kaelyn Carroll made one-of-two at the line to give the Cats a 13-9 lead. Two Key free throws extended the lead to six but Georgia scored to get within four. Strack answered, but UGA hit a three to get within three. Strack again had the answer, hitting a three of her own. Georgia scored the final two points of the period, but Kentucky led 20-16 after 10 minutes of play. Strack had 13 points in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Georgia hit a three early to get within one before Key scored in the lane. After two UGA free throws, Key scored again and UK led 24-21. The Lady Bulldogs scored the next five to lead 26-24, but Strack scored five in a row and the Cats led 29-26. Georgia scored the next three to tie the game.
A Jordan Obi bucket gave UK a 31-29 lead, but UGA scored the next three to take the lead back. Another Obi basket made it 33-32 Cats, but the Lady Bulldogs scored the next four to lead by three. A Morgan jumper in the lane cut the deficit to 36-35, which would be the halftime score. Strack led everyone with 18 points in the first half.
Strack continued to stay hot in the third quarter. She scored Kentucky’s first six points of the period as the Cats took a 41-38 lead. Georgia would get back within one twice in the period, but Strack’s nine points in the third gave the Cats a 54-49 lead heading into the final period. Strack had 27 points through three quarters.
In the fourth quarter, Morgan got the scoring started but UGA answered right back. After an Obi layup, Georgia scored again and it was 58-53 Cats. Morgan scored again before a Georgia three-point play got the Lady Bulldogs within four, 60-56.
That’s when Strack sparked a rally. She scored four in a row, then Amelia Hassett hit two free throws, before Strack scored again to extend the lead to 68-56. Georgia stopped the run, but Hassett hit a three, then two free throws, to essentially put the game away.
Kentucky advances to Friday’s quarterfinals, where the Cats will face top-seeded South Carolina. Tipoff is set for noon ET and the game can be seen on ESPN.
