In a game where Kentucky shot only 29.5%, the Cats 25 game home winning streak was in serious trouble from the 12:09 mark of the first half when Georgia went on an 9-0 run to take the lead, 25-14.
Kentucky trailed the majority of the game, including when it counted, the final buzzer of the second half as the Cats fell 61-59, ending UK’s 25 game home winning streak. The streak ended at the hands of the same team who beat them the last time in Memorial Coliseum, the Georgia Bulldogs.
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UK had several runs and tied the game multiple times, but just could’t find a way to stop the Bulldogs when it counted, as Georgia seemed to have an answer for every Kentucky tie or run.
Getting the ball to fall through the twine has haunted the Cats over the last four games. Against Georgia, Kentucky ended the game shooting 29.5% from the field. At Arkansas, UK could only manage 28.4%, Duke was the best of the four games at 39.1% and against UT Martin, Kentucky only shot 35.9%.
The record reflects the poor shooting as the Cats are 1-3 over the last four, including two games at home. UT Martin was absolutely out maned, so the shooting woes didn’t show up like they have against the tougher competition from the other three teams.
Shot selection against Georgia was excellent, in fact, it appeared the majority of Kentucky’s shots were within a 6-8 foot circle of the basket, many times missing, what appeared to be easy layups.
The great news for Cats fans is, with the exception of the Arkansas game, Kentucky had their chances to win against Duke and Georgia. The Cats were just unable to convert at critical times.
Georgia’s Khaalidah Miller led all scorers with 24 points. For the Cats, All-American Victoria Dunlap had 17 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 blocks and 6 of Kentucky’s 24 team turnovers.
Dunlap could only manage 4-14 from the field for 28.6%, but took advantage of her trips to the line as she hit 8 out of 10 for 80%.
Mathies ended with 14 points, 9 rebounds and a team high 4 assists. Despite Kentucky shooting 61 shots, the Cats had no other players in double figures for the game.
As a Cat fan, I wouldn’t worry too much about the three game skid. The lack of effort at Arkansas was a concern, but it seemed more of a result of two road games in three days then a true lack of effort.
Once the Cats start finding the bottom of the bucket, the wins will start happening in bunches again.
Up next, the Wildcats welcome the 9-6 South Carolina Gamecocks to Lexington. Tip off is at 7:00 PM on Thursday, January 13.
Go Cats!!!
[SIZE=2]Contact Chip Miller with your Kentucky questions or comments at [EMAIL=”[email protected]”][email protected][/EMAIL], via twitter at [URL=”http://twitter.com/ukbigbluenation”]@ukbigbluenation[/URL] or here at N of B, at his NofB Profile, by [URL=”http://www.nationofblue.com/members/chip-miller/”]clicking here[/URL].[/SIZE]
