Can we just skip playing in Tuscaloosa for a while? First, it was the men, winners of 4 straight, who no-showed and got run out of the gym, losing by 15. Now, the women entered riding an 8-game win streak and walked away with one of the ugliest losses of the Kenny Brooks era.
Kentucky had a big 10-0 run in the first quarter, but Alabama answered with a 10-0 run of their own. After that, it was all Alabama. Kentucky scored 16 points in the first quarter and then 22 over the next two quarters. Alabama was just too much for them defensively, and they ended up getting out to a 23-point lead in the 4th.
Kentucky just not finding their rhythm at all. Alabama goes on a 9-0 run fueled by bad turnovers to take a lead into half. Got work to do. 36-29.
— Wildcat Blue Nation (@WildcatBlueNatn) January 9, 2026
Kentucky WBB misses Teonni Key
With Teonni Key out with a dislocated elbow, you needed a big night from Clara Strack, and she had one of the worst of her Kentucky career. She had just 4 points on 1-13 shooting. The No. 6 Kentucky team will not be No. 6 after this performance. Yes, Alabama was 15-1 and previously ranked, and yes, it was on the road, but these kinds of performances don't happen to elite programs, and that is what Kenny Brooks wants to build.
Tonie Morgan, who had one of the best assist-to-turnover ratios in the country, had the same amount of turnovers to assists, 5 of each. She and Strack combined for a terrible night offensively, shooting a combined 5 of 26 with 8 of the team's 20 turnovers.
It was really the third quarter when things just got away from Kentucky, and they had no answer. Alabama won that quarter 19-9, and 4 minutes into the 4th, Kentucky had just 1 point in the quarter.
There was no comeback, though they did have a little mini 9-0 run to make it more respectable, 64-51. But for the most part, it was just a miserable night for a team that was pushing into the Top 5. Kentucky had just 12 points in the paint all night, a place where they usually excel, while Alabama had 26. Kentucky never led after the 2nd quarter.
Kentucky finished shooting just 17 of 54 for 31% on the night. Tonie Morgan and Asia Boone, who fouled out, were the only two Wildcats in double figures.
Alabama was led by Jessica Timmons and Diana Collins, who combined for 40 points, leading Alabama to a win over the highest-ranked opponent since 1997.
Next up is Kentucky vs. No. 5 Oklahoma, Sunday at home.