Clara Strack delivered a performance for the record books on Sunday, dropping a career-high 33 points and pulling down 15 rebounds as No. 18 Kentucky rolled past Arkansas 93-73 at Bud Walton Arena. The dominant effort snapped a three-game SEC skid for the Wildcats and cemented Strack’s place in program history.
Let’s start with the numbers - because they tell quite a story. Strack’s 33-point, 15-rebound outing wasn’t just a personal milestone; it was unprecedented.
She became the first player in Kentucky history to post at least 33 points and 15 boards in an SEC game. And with those 33 points, she crossed the 1,000-point mark for her career - doing it in just 86 collegiate games.
That kind of production, that quickly, speaks volumes about her consistency and impact.
But this wasn’t a one-woman show. The Wildcats got contributions across the board in what turned into an offensive clinic, especially in the second half.
Amelia Hassett poured in 16 points and caught fire from deep, going 3-of-4 from beyond the arc after halftime. Teonni Key, back in action for the first time since her injury against Missouri, looked sharp and steady - notching a double-double of her own with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while also chipping in three assists, a steal, and a block. That’s the kind of all-around game that makes coaches smile.
Tonie Morgan added 14 points and dished out eight assists, keeping the offense humming, and Asia Boone stayed hot from long range, finishing with 11 points and three triples. Boone has now hit multiple threes in 17 of Kentucky’s 23 games - a testament to her consistency as a perimeter threat.
This one was tight early. Kentucky jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead, but Arkansas answered with back-to-back threes to swing the momentum.
The first quarter was a back-and-forth battle, ending in a 17-17 tie. Strack, Key, and Boone helped the Wildcats settle in, combining for key buckets that kept the game within reach.
The second quarter saw Kentucky begin to assert itself. Strack continued to dominate inside, and the Cats rattled off an 8-0 run to create some breathing room. By halftime, they held a 34-28 lead, with Strack already tallying 15 points and nine boards.
Arkansas made a push early in the third, briefly taking a 41-40 lead. But Kentucky didn’t flinch.
The Cats responded with a 14-5 run, fueled by aggressive drives and clutch free throws. Boone knocked down another three, Strack stayed relentless in the paint, and suddenly Kentucky had a double-digit cushion.
By the end of the third, the Wildcats were up 60-49.
Then came the knockout punch.
Hassett opened the fourth quarter with a three, and Strack followed with a three-point play that stretched the lead to 15. Arkansas tried to hang around, but Hassett drilled another triple to ignite a 13-0 run that blew the game wide open. From there, it was all Kentucky.
This was the kind of bounce-back win that can reset a season. The Wildcats didn’t just win - they imposed their will, especially in the second half, outscoring Arkansas 59-45 after halftime. They were aggressive, efficient, and locked in on both ends of the floor.
Next up, Kentucky returns home to face Vanderbilt on Thursday night at Historic Memorial Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. on SEC Network Plus. If Sunday’s performance is any indication, the Cats are finding their rhythm at just the right time.