Kentucky Dominates USC-Upstate: Postgame Analysis

Kentucky Wildcats Dominate USC Upstate Spartans with 82-54 Victory

LEXINGTON, KY – In a commanding performance, the Kentucky Wildcats secured an impressive 82-54 victory over the USC Upstate Spartans. The win improves Kentucky’s record to 2-0 in the 2023-24 season, while USC Upstate falls to 0-3.

The Wildcats continue to make history as they celebrate their 50th season. With an all-time record of 896-588, they are now just four wins away from reaching the impressive milestone of 900 victories.

Head coach Kyra Elzy, entering her fourth season at the helm, has led the team to a solid 51-40 overall record. Kentucky’s dominance over USC Upstate continues, with a perfect 4-0 head-to-head record against the Spartans.

Kentucky’s next matchup will be against Austin Peay on Tuesday, November 14 at 6 p.m. ET. The game, which will take place at the Davis-Reid Alumni Gym on the campus of Georgetown College, can be streamed on SEC Network+.

In their victory against USC Upstate, Kentucky showcased their strength with an exceptional team effort. Notably, the Wildcats started with the combination of Brooklynn Miles, Saniah Tyler, Ajae Petty, Maddie Scherr, and Amiya Jenkins, leading to a 2-0 record with this lineup. Kentucky won the opening tip and Ajae Petty was the first player to score for the team.

The Wildcats’ dominance was evident in their statistics, scoring 58 points in the paint, the most in the Kyra Elzy era. They also forced 22 turnovers from the Spartans, capitalizing on their mistakes with 21 points off those miscues. Defensively, Kentucky limited their own turnovers to 15, allowing only four points for USC Upstate.

Kentucky’s balanced scoring continued to shine, with five players reaching double digits for the second consecutive game. Ajae Petty led the team with a career-high 19 points, shooting an impressive 9-of-11 from the field. Eniya Russell contributed with 14 points, tying her career-high, and also grabbed nine rebounds. Maddie Scherr showcased her all-around skills, recording 12 points, six rebounds, six assists, three steals, and one block.

Other standout performances included Brooklynn Miles, who scored 10 points and tallied four assists, and Zennia Thomas, who achieved a career-high 10 points. Freshman Janae Walker made her mark, scoring her first career layup and adding three rebounds and one block.

Kentucky’s strong start to the season is a promising sign for their remaining games. With their well-rounded roster and dominant performances, the Wildcats will look to extend their winning streak and make a mark in their 50th season.