Late rally not enough at UK

Feb. 20, 2012

Box Score | Quotes

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The No. 24 Vanderbilt women’s basketball team fell for just the second time in its past eight games, losing to No. 13 Kentucky, 70-61. The Commodores fell to 20-7, 8-6 in SEC play, while the Wildcats improved to 2-5, 11-3 in league action.

Vanderbilt was led by 19 points and eight rebounds from junior Tiffany Clarke. The forward shot 8-11 from the field. The Commodores also got 16 points and five rebounds from Christina Foggie.

Kentucky was led by a double-double from Connecticut transfer Samarie Walker, who scored 15 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, eight of them on the offensive glass. Keyla Snowden (14 points) and Bria Goss (12 points) were also in double-figures for the Wildcats.

The Commodorse struggled with Kentucky’s up-tempo press and perimeter defense in the first half. Despite out-shooting UK, 47.6% to 50.5%, 12 Vanderbilt turnovers helped the Wildcats lead by as many as 20 points and by 16 at the break, 39-23.

Vandebrilt committed another 12 turnovers in the second half, but turned-up the defensive pressure and forced UK into 11 miscues of their own while holding them to 32% shooting from the field. Vanderbilt would cut it to a two-possession game, 61-55 with 1:21 remaining, but could not get any closer.

The Commodores face a quick turnaround as they look to rebound, as they travel to LSU on Thursday, February 23, for an 8:00 p.m. CT showdown with the Lady Tigers. The game can be seen on FSN.