Kentucky’s women’s basketball team, under new head coach Kenny Brooks, opened the season with a dominant 98-43 win over USC Upstate at Memorial Coliseum. The 22nd-ranked Wildcats showcased a balanced attack, with five players scoring in double figures. Clara Strack led all scorers with 22 points, adding six rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks.
Freshman Clara Silva made an impressive debut, scoring 14 points on a perfect 6-for-6 from the field, along with seven rebounds and six blocks. Amelia Hassett and Teonni Key each contributed 14 points, with Key nearly recording a double-double with nine rebounds and three blocks. Georgia Amoore, a preseason All-SEC guard, scored 11 points and dished out 10 assists.
After a close start, Kentucky broke the game open with a 9-0 run to lead 11-2 and extended the margin significantly by halftime, leading 47-18. The Cats continued their dominance in the second half, holding USC Upstate to just 35 points through three quarters and finishing strong with a 9-0 run.
Kentucky will next face Northern Kentucky at Memorial Coliseum on Thursday, with tipoff at 6 p.m. ET on SEC Network Plus.
