LEXINGTON, Ky. – The No. 16/16 University of Kentucky women’s basketball program will begin Southeastern Conference action by playing host to RV/RV Mississippi State on Thursday, Jan. 2 at 7 p.m. ET in Historic Memorial Coliseum.
The matchup will mark the program’s annual first responders’ night, featuring first responders throughout the game and around the concourse. All first responders can receive a discounted ticket for entry by emailing WeAreUK@uky.edu for more information.
There also is a bag tag giveaway for season-ticket holders and first responders only.
Big Blue Nation can still purchase single-game tickets to the game and all eight of the program’s remaining home games this season. To shop single-game tickets, click here. For a full list of the program’s nonconference promotional lineup, click here.
Darren Headrick will have the radio call for UK Sports Network, his eighth straight season as the voice of the Wildcats. His call will be carried on 630 AM WLAP (Lexington) and 790 AM WKRD (Louisville).
Big Blue Nation also can watch the game on SEC Network+, with fan-favorites Jeff Piecoro and Christi Thomas on the broadcast.
The Wildcats enter Southeastern Conference action 11-1 overall and 8-0 inside Historic Memorial Coliseum. The Cats went undefeated in nonconference home games for the 18th season in program history and the first time since 2020-21. The Cats also finished nonconference action with just one loss or less for the first time since 2020-21.
UK is 19-23 all-time in SEC openers since 1982-83. Last season, Kentucky defeated Arkansas, 73-63, on Jan. 4 in Rupp Arena.
Kentucky is coming off a win over in-state foe Western Kentucky, 88-70, which was the Wildcats’ fourth straight game they have scored at least 80 points. It marked the first time the Cats have logged such a streak since Nov. 18 – Dec. 2, 2015, doing so in five straight games.
Also, in that four-game stretch, All-American graduate guard Georgia Amoore has put at least 20 points for an average of 21.3 points per game. She is the first UK player to do that since All-American Rhyne Howard during her senior season in Spring 2022.
In beating the Lady Hilltoppers last Saturday, the Wildcats shot a season-high 52.9 percent from the field on a season-high 36 makes from the field from a second-best 25 assists. The Cats also boasted a season-high 44 paint points.
The Wildcats enter the 16-game conference season ranked in the nation’s top 25 in eight categories, including blocks per game (1st, 7.8), free-throw percentage (6th, 80.4), assist/turnover ratio (7th, 1.6), assists per game (8th, 19.9), field-goal percentage defense (8th, 33.5), defensive rebounds per game (12th, 30.4), three-point field goal percent defense (23rd, 24.9) and three-point field goal attempts per game (24th, 26.5).
In fact, the Cats lead the SEC in three of those categories, including blocks, free-throw percentage and assist/turnover ratio.
The Wildcats also enter SEC action with all five of its starters averaging double-digit scoring and three of its starters grabbing at least 9.0 rebounds per game.
The is the 56th all-time meeting between Kentucky and Mississippi State. The Wildcats lead the Bulldogs in the all-time meetings, 31-24, in a series that began in 1979. The Cats also lead the Dogs, 14-10, in Lexington.
Kentucky is on a one-game winning streak against Mississippi State after defeating the Bulldogs, 78-68, on their home court on Feb. 22, 2024. In that game, UK used a 19-0 run at the end of regulation to overcome what was a 10-point deficit early in the fourth quarter.
The two teams split match ups last season after UK lost to MSU in overtime, 77-74, in Rupp Arena on Feb. 1, 2024.
Eniya Russell, Mississippi State graduate guard, played two seasons at Kentucky (2023- 24).
For more information on the Kentucky women’s basketball team, visit UKathletics.com or follow @KentuckyWBB on X, Instagram, and Facebook.
