No. 9 Kentucky blows past No. 16 Arkansas in Round One of the 2026 SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament
GREENVILLE, S.C. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — The No. 9 seed Kentucky Wildcats defeated the No. 16 seed Arkansas Razorbacks 94–64 in the first round of the 2026 SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
The Wildcats got off to a quick start, leading 16–4 through the first 5:35 and forcing an early Razorbacks timeout. Kentucky continued to build on its momentum, taking a 29-10 lead at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Arkansas chipped away at the deficit with a 7-0 run to cut the lead to 38-25 with 4:40 remaining in the first half.
The Razorbacks trimmed the lead to single digits before halftime, as Kentucky’s advantage was cut to nine, 42-33, at the break.
Kentucky regained control in the third quarter. The Wildcats opened the half on a 12-2 run to push the lead to 19. Kentucky outscored Arkansas 28-11 in the third quarter and took a 70-43 lead into the fourth.
The Wildcats went on to win by 30 points.
Kentucky had six players score in double figures in Wednesday’s win. They were led by All-SEC First Team selection Clara Strack, who recorded 20 points and 13 rebounds. It marked Strack’s 14th double-double of the season, ranking among the top 20 nationally.
She was joined in double figures by Amelia Hassett (18 points, 6-of-11 from three-point range), Tonie Morgan (14 points, six rebounds, 10 assists), Jordan Obi (14 points, 10 rebounds), Teonni Key (12 points, five rebounds), and Asia Boone (10 points, 3-of-6 from three-point range).
Kentucky also dominated on the glass, finishing with 52 rebounds and a plus-25 advantage.
The Wildcats shot 10-of-30 (33.3%) from beyond the arc and held Arkansas to 6-of-28 (21.4%) from three-point range.
Arkansas was led in scoring by Taleyah Jones, who had a game-high 21 points.
Kentucky advances to the second round of the 2026 SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament, where it will face the No. 8 seed Georgia Bulldogs (22-8, 8-8 SEC). Tipoff is set for 11 a.m. Thursday at Bon Secours Wellness Arena and will be televised on the SEC Network.
