The game started out like you’d hope if you’re a Kentucky fan: The Cats won on a tip, then Asha Boone hit a 3-pointer, Toni Morgan followed on the next possession, and then Asha Boone hit a bomb. Teonni Key’s hook forced an early timeout, and the Cats took an 11-0 lead just three minutes into the game.
As has always been the case for the Cats this season, when things start to look good, bad things happen. In what appeared to be a tame race, Clara Strack fell, limping due to a deflection of her left knee. She walked to the bench and the training staff looked at her. She didn’t leave the bench area and it looked like the Cats had avoided disaster. After a while she came back, unfortunately for Ajith.
advertise
In the first quarter, Kentucky defeated Texas A&M 27-5.
Even better, Kentucky saw some running back off the bench, with Lexie Blue and Kaelyn Carroll seeing some runs. That would really help this team bounce back from a season that was derailed by injuries but could still be special.
Carroll is coached nearly every time he comes off the field, which is exactly what you want to see from a player with unlimited potential.
If the Cats’ offense was strong in the first quarter, it was the complete opposite in the second quarter. The Cats went 11-18 in the first quarter, but shot just 5-22 in the second quarter. The good news is they are up 20 points and 38-18, but there are some things that need to be addressed in the second half.
advertise
Tony Morgan sets new assists record
Tonie Morgan dished out eight assists, breaking Georgia Amoore’s one-year record. Amore has 211 assists in the 2024-2025 season, while Morgan has 218 assists this year.
The third quarter showed some real physicality early on. Clara Strack found herself on the floor multiple times and also found herself on the receiving end of a flagrant two fouls from Emerald Parker. Parker and Strike were fighting for a rebound, and Parker decided to end the game, hitting Clara in the face. The shooting was matched by the physicality as Kentucky just couldn’t find its offensive rhythm. After going 4-5 in the first quarter, the Cats went an astonishing 1-15 in the second and third quarters.
The good news is the defense was absolutely suffocating. In the third quarter, the Aggies had a record of just 12-42 and committed 14 turnovers. The fourth quarter was much like the rest of the game outside of the first quarter, with only two fights, but scoring was difficult.
advertise
In the end, it’s important to win here. After committing 43 turnovers over the past two games, Kentucky now has just 14, a more manageable number. You still want it to go down a little bit more, but it’s not the 20 or 23 the Cats are seeing.
Kentucky won 75-55, with Asia Boone and Tonie Morgan leading the scoring with 19 points each.
Drew Holbrook has covered the Cats for more than 10 years. In his free time, he enjoys relaxing with his family and watching Premier League football. You can find him on X. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion
