By Victor McKay
Lexington, KY – The Morehead State Lady Eagles made the short trip down I-64 to thoroughbred country Thursday night to take on the University of Kentucky Wildcat Women’s basketball team. The 13th ranked Wildcats came out of the gate running and never looked back in earning their 5th straight win 79-74 inside Memorial Coliseum.
Kentucky took an early 5-0 lead on a basket by pre season All American Ryhne Howard and a three pointer from Amanda Paschal. Morehead State battled back with a 6-2 run to make it 12-8 but that was short lived as UK went on a 10-0 run and the Cats ended the first quarter leading 27-13.
The Cats hit 29 of 73 (39.7 percent) from the floor, including 11 of 32 (34.4 percent) from behind the arc. MSU made 16 of 47 (34.0 percent) of its shots, but the Eagles hit just three of 14 (21.4 percent) from long-range.
But it was Kentucky’s defense was just too much to overcome as they scored 35 points off 25 turnovers for the game.
MSU coach Greg Todd remained positive about this team’s future despite the 25 point loss. “We’re rebuilding and all and all, there were some positive things we can take away from this,” Todd said. “We’re improving and getting ready for conference (OVC) play,” he added.
UK’s Matt Mitchell was please with this team’s overall effort, especially with Howard and Haines who so far have been a potent one-two punch. They’re the only Wildcats averaging double-digit scoring. Combined they were 8-for-18 from behind the three-point line on Thursday.
“That’s a good development for us,” Mitchell said. “(I) was proud of those two tonight. I thought they came out really aggressive and were efficient,” he added.
The Cats placed four players in double figures with Howard leading the way with 24 followed by Haines (14) Blair Green (12) and Talyana Wyatt with 10.
UK returns to action Tuesday when they take on Grambling at Memorial Coliseum. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. Morehead will also play Tuesday night when they host NC A&T. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 6 p.m.