Box Score LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Despite hanging tough for the majority of the night, the Belmont women's basketball team (2-7) was held off by 8/8 Kentucky (10-1).
The Bruins opened the contest strong on both sides of the ball, knotting the game at three early after free throws sandwiched a drive by senior Jordyn Luffman-Hartsfield (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.). The Wildcats managed to pull away 14-7 by the 12:45 mark but the Bruins continued to claw at the deficit. A pair of back door passes to sophomore Lauren Thompson (Franklin, Tenn.) and freshman Sally McCabe (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) made for easy points and senior Taylor Mills (Corryton, Tenn.) knocked down a triple from deep in the right corner to make it a two-point game, 16-14, with just under nine minutes remaining in the half.
The Bruins kept working diligently on both sides of the ball down the stretch, staying in striking distance and never allowing the difference to reach double digits. With 3:38 remaining, a fast break layup by sophomore Frankie Joubran (Detroit, Mich.) inched BU to within four, 26-22, but UK was able to double the differential over the next minute and a half. Kentucky grabbed its largest lead of the half, nine points, 34-25, in the final 60 seconds but freshman Sierra Jones (Huntsville, Ala.) pushed for a layup to send the teams to the locker rooms separated by seven, 34-27.
The Bruins worked hard at the top of the second stanza to close the gap. After free throws by Thompson and Luffman-Hartsfield, Jones came away with a steal and a fast break layup to make it a five-point game, 39-34, with 15:55 left on the clock.
BU began surging around the 14 minute mark and used back-to-back tip-ins by McCabe and Joubran to inch within three, 41-38. The effort forced the Wildcats to burn a timeout to regroup and they emerged with a 7-0 run to go up, 48-38, three minutes later, for their first double digit lead of the night. UK would blow its lead up to as 15 before the final four and a half minutes of regulation. Belmont hustled to chip away at the lead and would move as close as 11, 63-52, before UK put the game out of reach. The Bruins played hard until the final whistle but would be held off, 71-55.
Kentucky shot 40.6 percent from the floor, 26.3 percent from three- point range and 76.9 percent from the free-throw line. The Wildcats held the advantage in rebounds, 40-34, and blocks, 6-4.
UK was led in scoring by Azia Bishop, who netted 15 points. Also reaching double digits were Janee Thompson and Linnae Harper, who both added 12 points and Alexis Jennings, who added 10. Bishop also led in rebounds with a game-high 12.
Belmont shot 38 percent from the hardwood, 20 percent from behind the three-point arc and 71.4 percent from the charity stripe. The teams were tied in assists with 10 apiece and steals with four each.
BU saw a trio of players reach double digits, led by Mills' 13 points. Luffman-Hartsfield and Jones each contributed 10 points. Joubran pulled down seven rebounds.
Belmont returns to action on Tuesday, December 16 with a stop at Cleveland State. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. The matchup can be seen live on ESPN3 and heard live on the Bruins Sports Network. Live stats and an in-game Twitter feed (@BelmontWBB) will also be available.
