Kentucky won the SEC conference tournament for the first time in 40 years. The final marks the third conference regular season or tournament championship for the Wildcats, who have been regulars in the NCAA Tournament. The conference championship wouldn't have been possible without UK playing their last game over a month ago.
Kentucky defeated Mississippi State, the AP's sixth-ranked team in LSU, the AP's 18th ranked team, Tennessee, and the No. 1 South Carolina in the SEC title game. The teams they trampled to get to the SEC are the most stunning aspect of their run through the conference.
A month ago, UK was 9-11 and 2-8 in conference play after a home loss to the Gamecocks. They have lost in nine games. The downward spiral began with a road loss to South Carolina.
Kentucky secured an at-large bid after their win over Tennessee in the second round. The LSU team that was vying for a No. 1 seed in Kim Mulkey's first season as head coach was clobbered by them in the semifinals. Rhyne Howard, UK's 2-time SEC Player of the Year and career record holder in 3s made, led the way with 32 points and six 3-pointers.
They teetered on the edge of defeat in the Conference Championship Game.
While Howard struggled from the field, junior forward Dreuna Edwards stepped up off the bench for the second time this week to propel UK into the winner's column.
Kentucky overcame a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat South Carolina and show the type of resolve they have become accustomed to.
The top team in the country was held without a point in the final 3:58 by UK's defense. South Carolina's final bucket of the contest came with 5:02 remaining in regulation when Aliyah Boston hit a jumper to put Kentucky in a nine-point hole.
The game-winning triple was set up by head coach Kyra Elzy out of a timeout.
UK is the hottest team in the tournament right now. With a newfound confidence in their ability to play with and even beat some of the top teams in the country, Elzy's squad will now drop into the tense NCAA Tournament atmosphere. The immense pressure of single-elimination basketball has been a problem for the UK. They became diamonds in the rough.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
