Mississippi State
8-8, 0-4
#19 Kentucky
13-4, 2-2
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi State | 21 | 39 | 60 |
| KENTUCKY | 42 | 30 | 72 |
State Women Fall At #19 Kentucky, 72-60
January 16, 2011 | Women's Basketball
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Mississippi State failed to keep the offensive pace early, as 19th-ranked Kentucky rolled to a 72-60 victory over the Lady Bulldogs in Southeastern Conference women's basketball game played Sunday afternoon in Memorial Coliseum.
With the defeat, the Lady Bulldogs fell to 8-8 overall and 0-4 in league play. The Maroon and White have now five straight decisions overall. Kentucky, coached by MSU alumnus Matthew Mitchell, improved to 13-4 and 2-2.
Kentucky scored the game's first seven points, as MSU went more than four minutes before finally scoring. The Lady Bulldogs eventually responding by scoring the game's next eight points. A 3-point basket by Mary Kathryn Govero placed the Bulldogs on top, 8-7 with 14:36 left before halftime.
Kentucky took the lead for good on its next possession when Jennifer O'Neill hit a 3-point basket.
That trey actually started a 22-0 run by the hosts. MSU actually went 8:46 without scoring before a fast-break layup by Porsha Porter broke the draught.
That strong burst was more than enough for Kentucky, which sprinted to a 36-14 lead with less than three minutes left in the half.
Kentucky led 42-21 at the intermission. In the opening half, the Maroon and White actually shot a better percentage from the field than the Lady Wildcats. However, MSU was undone by 16 first-half turnovers.
In the second half, the Lady Bulldogs closed within 10 but could get no closer.
For the contest, the Lady Bulldogs hit 23 of 48 shots from the field (47.9 percent), 6 of 15 shots from 3-point range (40.0 percent) and 8 of 12 shots from the foul line (66.7 percent). The Lady Wildcats hit 26 of 59 shots from the field (44.1 percent), 6 of 21 shots from 3-point range (28.6 percent) and 14 of 21 shots from the foul line (66.7 percent).
UK held a 35-26 rebounding advantage. The
Lady Bulldogs had eight assists and 22 turnovers, while the Lady Wildcats had 18
assists and 13 turnovers.
Diamber Johnson paced the Lady Bulldogs with 20 points. MSU also received 16 points from Govero and 12 points from Catina Bett.
Kentucky received a double-double from Victoria Dunlap (22 points, 10 rebounds). The Lady Wildcats also received 16 points from A'dia Mathies, 13 points from Bernisha Pinkett and 11 points from O'Neill.
The Lady Bulldogs
host Auburn at 7 p.m. Thursday.
