womens basketball

Despite the loss, Kentucky’s women’s basketball program is celebrating its 50th season and currently has an impressive all-time record of 896-590. Head coach Kyra Elzy is in her fourth season leading the Wildcats and has a 51-42 overall record.

The Wildcats currently hold a 2-1 record for the season after suffering a loss to Austin Peay in their last game. Despite the setback, senior forward Ajae Petty continues to impress. Petty notched a career-high tying 19 points and a career-high 14 rebounds in the game, marking her second double-double of the season. Her performance places her among the elite in the Southeastern Conference as one of only nine players to achieve multiple double-doubles this year. Petty also contributed three steals, highlighting her defensive prowess. She currently ranks second in the conference and 15th in the nation in rebounds per game, averaging an impressive 12.0.

Sydney Taylor shined for Louisville, delivering an impressive 15-point performance. The team showed impressive depth, with eight players scoring in double figures for the first time in program history. Taylor showcased her shooting skills, going 5-of-8 from the field and sinking 2-of-4 from beyond the arc. Her contributions extended beyond scoring, as she also recorded four assists and two steals.

The Wildcats have made an impressive start to the season with a perfect 2-0 record. They defeated East Tennessee State with a score of 74-66 and followed up with a dominant 82-54 victory over USC Upstate. Kentucky has displayed remarkable offensive prowess, with five players scoring in double digits in each of their games so far. This balanced attack has been key to their success in the early stages of the 2023-24 season.

The game got off to a fast-paced start as DePaul burst out of the gate with a 24-11 lead midway through the first quarter, hitting 10 of their first 12 shots. However, Louisville fought back in the latter half of the period, finishing on an 18-5 run to tie the game at 29 heading into the second quarter.

In a postgame press conference at Rupp Arena, Kentucky Wildcats head coach, Kyra Elzy, expressed her satisfaction with the team’s performance, particularly highlighting the contributions of Eniya Russell in the offense. Coach Elzy praised Russell for her focused and defensive play, emphasizing her versatility and ability to pass and score. She also commended Russell for her nine rebounds, stating that she had exceeded expectations and played a pivotal role in the team’s success.

White is an impressive 6-5 center and is currently ranked as the third-best prospect and top-ranked center in the state of Kentucky in the class of 2024, according to Prep Girls Hoops. She has been a standout player at Butler Traditional High School, where she has earned three letters under head coach Candyce Wheeler. Additionally, White has played on the Adidas 3SSB circuit with coach Richard Jeter.

Jenkins, Tyler, and Miles made their first career starts in the ETSU game, showcasing their potential and ability to make an impact early in the season. The Wildcats demonstrated resilience and determination as they overcame a two-point halftime deficit and battled their way to victory. This marked the first time since their historic win against Alabama in the 2023 SEC Tournament that the Cats secured a win after trailing at halftime.

The Cardinals had contributions from nearly the entire team, with 10 players getting on the scoresheet. Sydney Taylor led the way with 16 points, while Jayda Curry made an impressive regular season debut with 13 points. Olivia Cochran was a force on the boards, collecting a game-high 10 rebounds to go along with seven points and three assists. Elif Istanbulluoglu and Kiki Jefferson also made strong collegiate debuts, scoring seven and nine points respectively.

Under Coach Walz, the Cardinals have been a force to be reckoned with, making five consecutive Elite Eight appearances and maintaining a six-year Sweet Sixteen streak, both of which are unmatched by any other team in the country. Last season, the Cardinals won 26 games and extended their streak of 11-straight seasons with 25 or more wins. They also finished fourth in the ACC and advanced to the ACC Tournament Championship game for the fourth time in program history.