The Kenny Brooks era begins with a win over USC Upstate – UK Athletics

The Kenny Brooks era reached its peak on Monday night when the 22nd^ndThe top-ranked Kentucky women's basketball team defeated USC Upstate 98-43 at the Historic Memorial Coliseum.

Kentucky had five players in double figures in the win, led by Clara Strack, who scored a game-high 22 points. Strack added six rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocked shots.

Freshman Clara Silva had an impressive debut for the Cats. A native of Portugal, Silva made all six field goal attempts and both free throw attempts on her way to 14 points. Silva had seven rebounds, six blocked shots and two assists for UK.

Two other Cats also had 14 points each. Amelia Hassett made four three-pointers on her way to that number, while Teonni Key had 14 points, nine rebounds, three blocked shots and one steal.

Preseason All-SEC guard Georgia Amoore posted a double-double in her UK debut, scoring 11 points and adding 10 assists.

The game was tied early before the Cats went on a 9-0 run, sparked by four free throws from Amoore, to take an 11-2 lead. After Upstate cut the lead to six points, 13-7, UK scored the next 11 points, four from Silva, four from Key and a three-pointer from Amoore, to lead 24-7. The Cats would lead 26-11 after 10 minutes of play.

Upstate scored the first four points of the second period before the Cats dropped 15 straight points, including two three-pointers from Hassett. After Upstate got a basket, Strack scored six straight goals, capping a 21-2 run and giving UK a 47-17 lead. Kentucky would lead 47-18 at halftime.

The third quarter began with the Cats going inside to Strack, and the sophomore responded. Strack converted a basket and a free throw, followed by a jumper in the lane. After an Upstate basket, Strack hit two free throws, followed by a key layup, giving Kentucky a 56-20 lead. Two Silva free throws rounded off the 11-2 run.

Upstate scored three straight before the Cats got a four-point play from Dazia Lawrence and a layup from Hassett to take a 64-26 lead. Kentucky would maintain a 75-35 lead through three quarters.

Kentucky continued to extend its lead in the fourth quarter, ending the game with a 9-0 run.

The Cats return to play on Thursday when they host Northern Kentucky at the Historic Memorial Coliseum. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. ET and the game can be viewed on SEC Network Plus.