No. 5 Vanderbilt rallies past Kentucky women 81-79, completes season sweep

NASHVILLE, Tn. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – Kentucky let a double-digit first-half lead slip away Sunday as No. 5 Vanderbilt rallied for an 81-79 victory in a back-and-forth SEC matchup.

Kentucky, which lost by one point to Vanderbilt in Lexington on Feb. 5, appeared poised to even the season series after building a 12-point advantage in the first half. But the Commodores responded with a surge of their own to set up a tense finish.

The game featured 10 ties and 11 lead changes, with neither team able to create separation down the stretch.

Kentucky had the ball in the closing seconds, but Clara Strack was stripped on the final possession and the Wildcats were unable to get off a shot before time expired as Vanderbilt held on to secure the regular-season sweep.

Mikayla Blakes led Vanderbilt with 35 points, delivering another standout performance against the Wildcats after also starring in the first meeting.

Strack paced Kentucky with 17 points. Amelia Hassett added 15 points, hitting five 3-pointers, while Asia Boone scored 13. Tonie Morgan and Teonni Key each finished with 10 points.

The loss drops Kentucky to 7-7 in SEC play with two regular-season games remaining. The Wildcats remain on the road and will visit Auburn on Thursday at 7 p.m.