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UK wins with inside dominance
Wildcats score often in the lane and control the boards in 80-55 victory over RedHawks.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
OXFORD — Millett Hall belongs to Miami University, but there was no question the Kentucky women's basketball team owned the paint around both baskets Saturday, Jan. 3.
The Wildcats scored the majority of their points in the lane and dominated the RedHawks on the boards on the way to a convincing 80-55 triumph.
"Rebounding was our biggest focus coming into the game, and they just killed us on the boards," Miami coach Maria Fantanarosa said after watching her team drop its second consecutive game against a Southeastern Conference foe to slip to 8-5.
The RedHawks lost to No. 20 Florida 75-56 in the championship game of the 2008 State Farm Classic in Gainesville, Fla., on Tuesday.
"Even though we lost that game, Florida was really talented so I thought we had turned the corner at that point," Fantanarosa said. "But we didn't take the next step today."
In addition to outrebounding the RedHawks 46-28, Kentucky (10-5) scored 48 of its 80 points in the paint, with a lot of them coming on second-chance opportunities thanks to 18 offensive rebounds.
UK sophomore forward Victoria Dunlap led five Wildcats in double figures with 20 points, and she also pulled down a career-high 15 rebounds. Senior center Eleia Roddy had a double-double of her own with 11 points and 10 boards.
"They were definitely crushing it inside on us," said Miami junior guard Jenna Schone, who scored 14 of her team-high 17 points in the first half. "Even when we zoned them, they just kept killing us inside."
Carly Morrow (11 points), Amani Franklin (11) and Brittany Edelen (10) also scored in double figures for UK, which made 32-of-60 field goals.
"I'm really proud of the way we won today in convincing fashion over a quality basketball team," Wildcats coach Matthew Mitchell said. "(Miami) was very aggressive, so there was a premium on making good decisions and that led to some easy back-door layups against their zone."
MU junior guard Courtney Reed added 14 points for the RedHawks, who made only 18-of-54 field goals, and freshman forward Erin Wisner pulled down a team-high six rebounds.
"We're not quite the team we need to be yet to win a championship," Schone said. "There's a lot of little things we need to bring together. But I think we'll get there. We have the talent."
Miami opens Mid-American Conference play Saturday at home against Akron.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2193 or jmorrison@coxohio.com.
