After a much deserved break, the Kentucky women’s basketball team (13-11, 6-8 SEC) returns to the hardwood tonight to take on the Missouri Tigers (17-10, 6-8 SEC). The Wildcats and Tigers both come into this matchup after a win and will look to ride their momentum. Kentucky dominated Arkansas in Bud Walton arena on Sunday by a score of 78-55 as a part of their four-game win streak. Meanwhile, Missouri is coming off a 76-66 victory at home over Mississippi State this past weekend.
Missouri is led by junior guard Aijah Blackwell. The six-footer averages 15.3 and 13.3 RPG which is extremely impressive considering she is listed as a guard. Forward Hayley Frank is right behind her in point averages at 15.1 PPG and hits her three-point attempts at a 45% rate. Once again, Coach Kyra Elzy has her hands full in preparing for an extremely talented duo in the SEC.
Kentucky has a top notch duo of their own in Rhyne Howard and Dre’Una Edwards. Howard is averaging nearly 20 PPG on the season and is always on double-double watch in any given game. She has been the epitome of consistently for the Wildcats this season. The key for the current win-streak Kentucky has enjoyed has been the emergence of Dre’Una Edwards. ”Dre” has had several disciplinary issues throughout the season that have kept her away at times. Now that she has been able to find her rhythm, she has been exactly what this team has needed with her scoring efficiency and ability to hit the glass. Kentucky is very thin on front court depth and having Edwards in the lineup has allowed the Wildcats to have some production from that group. If Kentucky wants to extend their win streak to five, it has to be on the shoulders of their two stars.
Tipoff is set for 8 PM ET on SEC+.