Kentucky lets one slip away in 84-83 loss to Vanderbilt

[Matt Dillon]

Vanderbilt is the team that Kentucky will have to face twice in the regular season SEC slate this year, and the first of the two meeting took place on Thursday. Kentucky had a shot at earning its third AP top 10 victory of the year and the second in Historic Memorial Coliseum, but they’d have to get through one of the most prolific scorers in college basketball in Mikayla Blakes.

Kentucky, unfortunately, didn’t walk away with the win, falling 84-83 to Vanderbilt. The Cats now sit at 18-6 (5-5 SEC) on the year.

Both teams started hot from the field in this one, and Vanderbilt led 19-16 at the end of the first quarter. It felt like the main difference was the simple fact that the Commodores got more shots up. Early on, Kentucky was turning the ball over, and that translated to 11 points for Vanderbilt in the fastbreak. Kentucky had no points off of turnovers in the first half.

Kentucky lets one slip away in 84-83 loss to Vanderbilt - On3

[TrueblueCATfan]

Tough loss

Keep moving forward

[alakat2]

UK needs more solid ball handlers. 20 turnovers, many leading to VU fast break points will not cut it. Brooks has to address this issue, as teams now know to harass our ball handlers. We have a couple of starters and reserves who cannot dribble against pressure. T. Key was great in the loss.