Alabama
Walker, Scherr Lead Kentucky Past Alabama in SEC Tourney
GREENVILLE, S.C. – Jada Walker picked a implausible time to have the very best recreation of her younger profession. The sophomore guard scored a career-high 24 factors and dished out six assists because the 14th-seeded Kentucky ladies’s basketball group topped sixth-seeded Alabama 71-58 on Thursday evening within the second spherical of the Southeastern Convention Match.
Kentucky (12-18) received for the second consecutive day after struggling a seven-game dropping streak to finish the season. UK has now received six consecutive video games within the match after profitable the title in 2022.
Walker had 22 of her factors via three quarters nevertheless it was Maddie Scherr who took over late. The junior from Florence, Kentucky, scored 14 of her 19 factors within the second half because the Cats took the lead, then pulled away.
Kentucky additionally obtained an enormous increase from Eniya Russell, who got here off the bench to attain 12 factors, all after halftime.
The primary quarter was tight early with a pair of ties earlier than Alabama scored 5 in a row to guide 10-5. From there, the Tide would maintain the lead for the rest of the interval and Alabama would maintain a 20-15 benefit after one interval.
Within the second quarter, Kentucky began off scorching behind Walker. She hit a jumper on UK’s first possession of the interval to get the Cats inside three. Then, Walker and Maddie Scherr every scored on layups to get the Cats inside one, 22-21. Nevertheless, Alabama closed the half on a 10-5 run and the Tide led 32-26 on the break.
Alabama (20-10) scored the primary 4 factors of the third quarter to take its greatest lead, 36-26. However Scherr and Walker would ensure the Cats didn’t go away quietly. In reality, UK mounted a 14-4 run, together with seven factors from Walker and 5 from Scherr, to tie the sport at 40-40. Nevertheless, Alabama would lead 45-44 via three quarters.
Kentucky carried confidence into the fourth quarter, and it confirmed because the Cats scored the primary 4 factors of the interval to guide 48-45 and pressure and Alabama timeout. It was a part of a 20-10 run that gave the Cats a double-digit benefit.
The Cats now advance to Friday’s SEC Match quarterfinals, the place they may meet Tennessee, the identical group that beat UK on Sunday within the common season finale. Tipoff for Friday’s recreation is about for roughly 8:30 p.m. ET. It is going to air on the SEC Community.