Kentucky has their best shooting performance of the season against MTSU
12/15/2018
By: Brock Gilligan
Kentucky entered Saturday’s game against Middle Tennessee at 9-1 on the season, coming off their first loss of the year at #4 Louisville last Sunday. They looked to improve their overall record of 15-5 and 9-1 in games in Lexington against MTSU and start another winning streak headed into conference play starting in January. MTSU enters the game with a record of 7-2 on the season riding a five-game win streak with their most recent victory at Troy 11 days ago.
The Cats come into the game looking to get continued production from three-time SEC Freshman of the Week Rhyne Howard who is averaging almost 19 points a game. Two other Wildcats are averaging double digits this year, Maci Morris(16.8) and Taylor Murray(15.1). This team has earned the respect and record because of their suffocating defense averaging about 25 turnovers a contest this year.
The first half started slow for both teams with consistent turnovers going both ways, but Kentucky held a 20-11 lead after the first quarter. The second quarter is when the game began to get out of hand where Kentucky only missed two shots in the entire quarter shooting 71.4% from the field and from three in the half. The defense began to pick up for Kentucky as well, MTSU committed 12 turnovers in the half. The combination of lights out shooting and stellar defense gave the Cats a 45-23 lead headed into halftime.
The second half saw a furious run by MTSU to get back into the game by cutting the lead to 14 at one point shooting 50% in the third quarter. Unfortunately that run wasn’t enough to offset the damage done early on. Even with huge games from Alex Johnson and A’Queen Hayes the Cats first half shooting and forcing MTSU to 18 turnovers gave them the victory 72-55. The Cats improve to 10-1 on the season and will play Western Carolina on Tuesday.