Vanderbilt Triumphs Over Kentucky in Thrilling Finish
In an intense matchup Thursday night, No. 7 Vanderbilt overcame a fourth-quarter deficit to defeat No. 16 Kentucky 85-84 in Lexington, thanks primarily to a standout performance from Mikayla Blakes. Blakes showcased her scoring prowess with 37 points, including a crucial 19 points in the final quarter that fueled her team’s comeback.
Game Highlights
The Commodores (22-2, 8-2 SEC) trailed 54-45 heading into the last quarter, having struggled to contain a Wildcats surge led by Asia Boone, whose two 3-pointers contributed significantly to Kentucky’s momentum. However, Blakes kicked off the fourth period with five quick points, reclaiming a 59-58 lead for Vanderbilt and catalyzing a full comeback.
Vanderbilt built a lead as large as ten points after 6:15 left in the game, thanks to strong contributions from players like Aubrey Galvin, who hit four clutch free throws in the last 19 seconds to ensure the victory. Meanwhile, Kentucky (18-6, 5-5) had a chance to tie the game at the end, but Amelia Hassett‘s 3-point attempt rolled off the rim, and although Teonni Key managed to secure a putback as the buzzer sounded, it was not enough to change the outcome.
Player Performances
Key had an impressive game as well, scoring 27 points and pulling down 12 rebounds. Teammate Clara Strack contributed a double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds, while Hassett chipped in with 19 points. Despite Kentucky’s shooting efficiency—56% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc (10 of 20)—the Wildcats’ downfall came from their inability to protect the ball, with 20 turnovers leading to 25 points for the Commodores. Additionally, they struggled at the charity stripe, making just 11 of their 16 attempts.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Vanderbilt will be preparing to host Oklahoma, while Kentucky will face a tough challenge as they travel to No. 4 Texas on Monday.
