Kentucky’s season ends with a Sweet Sixteen loss to Texas

Fort Worth, Texas (ABC 36 News Now) — The No. 5 seed Kentucky Wildcats’ season ended in the Sweet Sixteen with an 76-54 loss to the No. 1 seed Texas Longhorns at Dickies Arena in Regional 3.

The Wildcats scored the first points of the game on Saturday, but the Longhorns responded with a 15-0 run and did not look back. Texas went on to lead 29-11 at the end of the first quarter.

The Longhorns kept the intensity up in the second quarter, leading Kentucky 48-26 at halftime. Texas outrebounded Kentucky 22-12 in the first half and doubled up the Wildcats in assists, 14-7.

Kentucky was able to limit Texas coming out of the locker room, allowing only five points over the first six minutes of the third quarter. However, as they did in the first half, the Longhorns’ offense regained momentum and carried a 63-42 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Wildcats tried to claw back in the fourth quarter but could not cut the deficit to below 15 points, as Texas advanced to the regional final to take on No. 2 seed Michigan on Monday.

Clara Strack led the Wildcats with 16 points and added five rebounds.

Teonni Key had 10 points and a team-high eight rebounds, while Tonie Morgan recorded eight points and a team-high seven assists in their final game at Kentucky.

Asia Boone added 11 points (2-for-3 from three-point range).

Jordan Lee led Texas with a game-high 18 points. Madison Booker added 17 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, while point guard Rori Harmon had 11 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists.

The Wildcats’ season comes to a close in Fort Worth with a 25-11 record.

Kentucky says goodbye to four seniors: Jordan Obi, Josie Gilvin, Teonni Key, and Tonie Morgan.