Kentucky
LEXINGTON, Ky. (11/10/2026) — The Kentucky Wildcats delivered a dominant performance at Memorial Coliseum, dismantling the Evansville Purple Aces 98-30 on Tuesday night behind a historic shooting display and a balanced offensive attack that left little doubt from the opening tip.
How It Happened
Kentucky seized control immediately, with Diana Collins opening the scoring on a layup just 46 seconds in. The Wildcats' three-point barrage began in earnest when Asia Boone drained a 25-footer at 8:00 of the first quarter, and Emily McDonald added two more long-range bombs in the final three minutes of the opening period — including a 25-foot strike off an Asia Boone assist with 40 seconds left — to send Kentucky into the second quarter ahead 21-7.
Evansville briefly showed signs of life to open the second period, with Mireia Mustaros converting a layup off a Marina Artero assist to cut it to 12, but the Purple Aces' shooting struggles — they would finish the night at just 22% from the field and 17% from three — made sustained runs impossible. Kentucky responded with a flurry of perimeter strikes: Me'Arah O'Neal hit from 23 feet, Clara Strack connected from 24 feet, and Ajsa Sivka buried back-to-back 26-footers in a span of 32 seconds to push the lead to 30. McDonald capped the half with another long three to give Kentucky a 46-11 advantage at the break.
The third quarter was more of the same. Kentucky extended its lead methodically while McDonald continued her assault from deep, hitting three more three-pointers in the final five minutes of the period — including a buzzer-beater from 25 feet — to push the margin to 54 points heading to the fourth. Evansville's Jayden Scott provided two of the more encouraging moments for the Purple Aces, drilling back-to-back threes off Avery Kelley assists to briefly interrupt the Wildcats' rhythm, but Kentucky answered both times.
Turning Point
The game's decisive sequence came during a 19-0 Kentucky run that stretched from a 70-22 score to 86-24. What began with a layup from Ayanna Patterson early in the fourth quarter became a full-scale statement. McDonald hit three consecutive three-pointers in a span of 94 seconds — from 26 feet, 26 feet, and 25 feet — all assisted by Savvy Swords and Maddyn Greenway, essentially turning a blowout into a historic one. By the time Jemma Amoore added a 27-footer off a Swords assist to reach 96, Kentucky had long since rendered the final outcome academic.
Star of the Game
Emily McDonald was the unquestioned standout, finishing with 27 points and 3 rebounds on a performance built almost entirely on relentless three-point shooting. The scoring plays show McDonald connecting from beyond the arc nine times across all four quarters — a remarkable volume that paced Kentucky's 21-made-three night. She was particularly lethal in the fourth quarter, scoring nine consecutive Kentucky points in under two minutes during the decisive 19-0 run.
Me'Arah O'Neal provided strong complementary support with 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists, hitting her own three-pointer from 24 feet in the third quarter while anchoring the paint. Ajsa Sivka added 12 points and Clara Strack chipped in 11 with 3 assists, giving Kentucky four players in double figures.
For Evansville, Scott finished as the team's top scorer with 14 points, including two three-pointers in the third quarter, while Kelley contributed 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists.
What It Means
The Kentucky Wildcats opened their home slate with an emphatic statement, shooting 55% from the field and 46% from three while committing just 5 turnovers. The 27-assist, 39-rebound performance illustrated a team moving the ball with purpose and attacking the glass with authority. The 68-point margin reflects total efficiency at both ends — Kentucky allowed Evansville just 30 points while generating a scoring play nearly every minute of action.
For the Evansville Purple Aces, the 16 turnovers and 22% shooting night against a high-caliber opponent represent areas to address as the season progresses. With 4,117 fans on hand at Memorial Coliseum, the Kentucky Wildcats put on a show worth the trip.
