In a heart-stopping finish, Kentucky found themselves on the wrong end of an 81-79 thriller against Vanderbilt on Sunday. Despite leading for the majority of the game-30 minutes and 41 seconds, to be exact-Kentucky couldn't seal the deal. Vanderbilt's Aubrey Galvan hit a crucial jumper, and a subsequent turnover by Clara Strack handed the game to the Commodores.
For Kentucky, this loss was another in a series of near-misses. Earlier in the SEC season, they eked out tight victories against LSU and Oklahoma, but since then, it's been a series of gut-wrenching finishes.
Take their matchup against Tennessee, for instance. In a hostile road environment, Kentucky had the ball with a chance to tie or win. Instead, a panicked inbound pass from Tonie Morgan led to a turnover and a tough loss.
Then there was the game against Georgia. Leading late, Kentucky let the game slip through their fingers, falling 72-67 at home. Their first encounter with Vanderbilt was another nail-biter, with Kentucky rallying from a 10-point deficit only to lose 84-83.
Sunday's game was another chapter in this saga of close calls. Despite the setbacks, Kenny Brooks' squad remains resilient. This is a team that has notched 20 wins and proven they can compete with the nation's best.
The absence of Teonni Key due to injury has undoubtedly impacted their record. With her, Kentucky could easily be sitting at 22-6 or 23-5, potentially above .500 in the fiercely competitive SEC. Brooks and his team are fully aware of their capabilities.
“They know who we can be,” Brooks emphasized after the Vanderbilt game. “It’s about how you finish, not where you are today.
Our kids are not wavering on their confidence. They know that a play here or there, and it’s a different outcome.
We just gotta continue to play together, keep the faith.”
Kentucky looks to bounce back on Thursday against Auburn, who currently holds a 14-13 record (3-10 in SEC play). The game tips off at 7 p.m. ET on SEC Network+.
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