For the second day in a row, Kentucky women's basketball made some history from behind the 3-point line. Yesterday, it was Amelia Hassett who tied the SEC Tournament record with 6 3's in a game. Today, it was Clara Strack who did something that hasn't been seen this century. With her 5 three's, she became the first SEC player 6'5 or taller to hit that many from behind the arc.
After knocking off Arkansas, Kenny Brooks said that he had "gamplans" he would never use during the regular season. In a tournament setting, where you play every day, you can't just lace it up as normal. The Cats were able to get some players some rest, but that wouldn't be the case today in the rematch against Georgia.
Even with Strack's 3-point barrage, the Cats and Dogs were locked in a tight one most of the afternoon.
Clara Strack was unbelievable yet again
Kenny Brooks took Clara Strack aside before the season finale against South Carolina. The coach had some harsh words for one of the best players in the country.
"I might get arrested for child abuse; it only refers to her. I looked at her, and I said, ‘You are the worst superstar I’ve ever coached.’ And when she looked at me, she had tears in her eyes. Before we got on the plane, she said, ‘Can we watch film tomorrow?’ We had two workouts leading up to South Carolina, and the intensity that she had, it was like, ‘I am never going to disappoint you again.'"
Since that moment, Strack has been on fire. She has had 20+ points in each of the games that followed, including 33 points and 8 rebounds today.
Georgia pushes Kentucky again
After knocking off the Cats in a Winter Storm Fern altered game earlier this season, Georgia put a lot of pressure on the Cats who already played yesterday.
Georgia would take a 36-35 lead into halftime and force the Cats to answer the bell. And just like yesterday, the 3rd quarter again was huge for Kentucky. The Cats outscored Georgia by 6, and it could have been more if not for 4 Teonni Key turnovers.
Kentucky was up 54-49 heading into the 4th. and they would push it out to 8 before Georgia again reeled the Cats back in.
But Clara Strack was just too much this afternoon. The Cats would pull out to it's largest lead, 12, with 3:39 to go on Strack's 33rd point of the game.
Kentucky outscored Georgia 41-25 in the 2nd half and cruised into the next round, 76-61.
Now Kentucky will be playing No. 1 seed South Carolina after playing 2 games in 2 days. It will not be easy, but I don't put anything past this elite group of women.