UK hoops advanced to 4-1 (0-0 SEC) on the season with a resounding 100-34 victory over USC Upstate (2-5, 0-0 Atlantic Sun) on Sunday at Memorial Coliseum.
Combining lockdown defense and explosive offense, the Cats played their most statistically complete game of the season thus far.
“I thought it was the most consistent energy we've had,” said UK head coach Matthew Mitchell.
Stats leaders for the Cats were senior guard A'dia Mathies and junior forwards DeNesha Stallworth and Samarie Walker. Mathies led all scorers with 17 points in 23 minutes on the court, while Stallworth and Walker both scored in double digits, combining for 24 points, six rebounds, five blocks and five steals.
Joining Mathies, Stallworth and Walker in double-digit scoring was freshman guard Janee Thompson, who posted 10 points, three rebounds, two steals and one assist in 11 minutes of playing time.
Offensively, UK's 52 first-half points were the most scored by the Cats in any single half this season, en route to reaching the century mark for the first time this season.
Every player on UK's roster scored as Mitchell's squad shot 37-74 from the field on the game, going 12-30 from three-point range. The Cats also won the offensive rebound battle 19-7.
Though pleased with his team's shooting, Mitchell noted some possible improvements to be made.
“I was really happy that we could shoot 50% today, and I want to try to see if we can keep doing that. Staying around that number is going to be important for this team's development. We still missed a few too many shots around the basket that I hope we're going to start making, and we need to do a good job as coaches at helping them do that,” he said.
The Cats were dominant on defense as well, Upstate's 34 points being the fewest the Cats have allowed from an opponent all season. UK held Upstate to 11-42 shooting for the game, with the home squad also forcing 38 turnovers. All but one Cat had a steal as part of a 21 steal team effort.
Mitchell revealed the defensive performance may be attributed to a change in tactics.
“We're trying to play some 2-3 zone [defense] and trying to see how our players can develop in that scheme while still making it aggressive but giving you a different look than our pressure man-to-man,” he said .
UK's next game is a morning contest against Miami (Ohio) at Memorial Coliseum on Wednesday, Nov. 28. Tip off is slated for 11 am EST.
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