Howard, Patterson lead No. 14 Kentucky women past Gators
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Rhyne Howard had 22 points after a slow start, Chasity Patterson added a career-high 20 and No. 14 Kentucky pulled away in the second half to defeat Florida 65-45 on Sunday.
Howard, who hit seven 3-pointers in each of the last two games and scored a total of 80 points, including a school-record tying 43, was 0 of 1 from 3-point range and ended a streak of five straight games with 25 points.
Kentucky (14-2, 3-1 Southeastern Conference) shot 26.5% in the first half, with Howard scoring four points and only led 28-23. The Wildcats turned 11 Florida turnovers into 12 points.
Howard scored seven straight Kentucky points in the third period, but the Wildcats only bumped the lead to 42-34. Howard had a nine-point run in the first half of the fourth quarter and 11 points overall as Kentucky pulled away.
Howard was 7 of 10 for 18 points in the second half.
Kentucky struggled on offense, shooting 31%, more than 10% below its average. The Wildcats went 6 of 24 from 3-point range when they usually shoot 39% and had a school-record 16 in their last game.
Kiara Smith had 16 points for the Gators (11-6, 2-2), but freshman Lavender Briggs was held to two points, ending her streak of double-figure games at 14. Florida had 25 turnovers, losing 31 points
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Game Information
- Referees:
- Eric Brewton
- Eric Koch
- Eric Baker
2023-24 Southeastern Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
South Carolina | 16-0 | - | 38-0 |
LSU | 13-3 | 3 | 31-6 |
Ole Miss | 12-4 | 4 | 24-9 |
Alabama | 10-6 | 6 | 24-10 |
Tennessee | 10-6 | 6 | 20-13 |
Vanderbilt | 9-7 | 7 | 23-10 |
Mississippi State | 8-8 | 8 | 23-12 |
Auburn | 8-8 | 8 | 20-12 |
Texas A&M | 6-10 | 10 | 19-13 |
Arkansas | 6-10 | 10 | 18-15 |
Florida | 5-11 | 11 | 16-16 |
Kentucky | 4-12 | 12 | 12-20 |
Georgia | 3-13 | 13 | 12-18 |
Missouri | 2-14 | 14 | 11-19 |