Alabama women's basketball toppled by Kentucky

The University of Alabama women's basketball team lost its first home game of the 2016-17 season Thursday as it fell to Kentucky, 71-54, at Coleman Coliseum.
“I thought that Kentucky really responded from their last game where things didn't really go their way,” Alabama Women’s Head Basketball Coach Kristy Curry said in a news release. “They responded. We didn't respond. We have to learn how to handle success. We have to understand that this is a league of consistency.
“I told our coaches I was so pleased with how energetic and how much effort and how much work and preparation (we put in), but we've got to have a team that learns how to follow at a different level,” Curry added.
Sophomore Shaquera Wade scored a career-high 24 points, hitting 11 of her 13 attempts from the floor for Alabama (14-3 overall, 2-2 in Southeastern Conference play). She was also 2-for-2 from the free throw line and had six rebounds, two assists and one steal.
Meoshonti Knight, a Central Catholic alum, had nine points.
Kentucky (11-6, 2-2) was led by senior Evelyn Akhator, who finished with 29 points, 15 rebounds and three assists.
The teams traded baskets in the beginning before a 10-3 Kentucky run gave the Wildcats a 14-7 lead with 2:51 remaining in the first quarter. Kentucky led 16-9 at the end of the quarter after shooting 60 percent during the opening 10 minutes.
The Wildcats scored four straight points to start the second for Kentucky’s first double-digit lead at 19-9.
Kentucky led by as many as 11, but six unanswered by Alabama cut its deficit to five with 4:45 remaining.
The Wildcats pushed its lead back to seven at the 1:31 mark before the Tide got back-to-back layups from Wade during the final 90 seconds to cut their deficit to 27-24 at the half.
The third quarter started out much like the first with the two teams trading baskets; however, a 6-0 run for Kentucky pushed its lead back to double digits with 5:21 remaining in the period.
Alabama responded with six unanswered, but an 8-2 run for the Wildcats down the stretch gave Kentucky a 49-41 lead at the end of the period.
Kentucky junior Makenzie Cann knocked down a three on the Wildcats' opening possession of the fourth, which game Kentucky a double-digit advantage. The Wildcats led by double digits the remainder of the contest.
The Tide shot 37.5 percent (21-56), while the Wildcats hit 48.2 percent (27-56) of their attempts.
Alabama was outrebounded for only the third time this season as Kentucky won the battle of the boards, 37-33.
“I'm really disappointed tonight in our energy and our effort and our ability to understand that all that matters is the next game,” Curry said.
The Tide remains at home for its next two contests, beginning with Sunday's matchup with Arkansas. Tip is set for 4 p.m. on the SEC Network.