‘Be the engine.’ Brooklynn Miles sets the pace in UK’s SEC Tournament win over Georgia.
Kentucky women’s basketball entered its first-round matchup of the 2024 SEC Tournament shorthanded. Second-leading scorer and regular ball handler Maddie Scherr, after getting shaken up late in the third quarter of the Wildcats’ Sunday loss at LSU, is out due to concussion protocol for the foreseeable future.
In order to defeat No. 13-seed Georgia, 12-seeded UK (12-19) would need a lift from its other guards — especially those running the point — to step up and orchestrate a balanced offensive attack while maintaining control of the pace of play.
And in its 64-50 victory over the Bulldogs on Wednesday afternoon, that’s exactly what it got. Starting guards Brooklynn Miles (11 points) and Amiya Jenkins (eight points) each provided a boost early. Eniya Russell (19 points) and Saniah Tyler (seven points) came off the bench and reignited the Wildcats’ offense. UK head coach Kyra Elzy said the group’s preparation allowed them to deliver in the postseason.
“We had balanced scoring today,” Elzy said. “Which I’m so proud. Every game we talk about 15-plus points from the bench and pretty consistently we were able to get that. ... I thought when Eniya Russell came in and gave us a big spark off the bench. You know, Saniah with seven, but, you know, day in and day out, we prepare for this moment and we’ve done that all year. Brooklynn Miles, like, I can’t say her name enough, really challenged her at the point guard position. To be the engine, be the leader. We’ve had to play without Maddie this year unfortunately, but she stepped up big for us.”
View the highlights from Wednesday’s game.
After a sophomore season at Tennessee averaging seven minutes per game, Miles’ transfer home to UK has brought her career highs in multiple statistical categories, and a major increase in responsibilities.
Against Georgia, the former Franklin County High School standout returned to the starting lineup after five games’ break (she started the preceding 25); the junior finished with 11 points, five rebounds, five assists and one steal in 35 minutes.
“Before we even got to Greenville we were talking about our mindset,’ Miles said. “How we need to be, how we need to play. For each other. And that’s what we’re doing, we’re playing for each other. Coach Elzy has been instilling confidence in all of us. Especially me, that’s why I played how I did today.”
Elzy also praised Miles’ defensive intensity, shouting out her ability to stay consistent.
“I thought Brooklynn Miles came out early with the defensive intensity,” Elzy said. “Just to set the tone, and consistency is the name of the game.”
The Wildcats didn’t allow a single three-pointer as the Bulldogs missed all 11 attempts. Kentucky yielded their lowest point total in an SEC Tournament game in more than a decade (Georgia’s 38 points on March 9, 2013).
Next up: Tennessee
Kentucky’s second-round matchup means a rematch against No. 5-seed Tennessee, who handed the Wildcats an 87-69 loss at Thompson-Boling Arena on Jan. 7. It was the Wildcats’ second conference game of the season, and Elzy said the team suiting up to face Tennessee in Thursday’s second round isn’t the same one as before.
“We’re just a better team,” Elzy said. “We’ve had time to grow up, and we’re still going to make some mistakes. But I think we have learned along the way. I thought we went to Knoxville, put up a tough fight, obviously, came out still losing by 18, but a lot of lessons learned there. But at the end of the day, we’re going to fight tomorrow, we’re going to give our best. We’ll go back and watch the film. One of the things we know we have to do against Tennessee is rebound and defend, so nothing has changed there.”
The first time around, Kentucky rocketed out to a 16-point lead in the second quarter, and maintained a 10-point edge at the half. The Wildcats’ 49 first-half points marked the most scored against the Lady Vols in Knoxville in a first half in program history, but a 27-11 third quarter gave Tennessee a lead it would never lose. It wasn’t the first time this season the Wildcats had been foiled by an effective third quarter run, and it wasn’t the last.
Elzy called the third period the Wildcats’ nemesis at various points throughout the season, and Miles reiterated after Wednesday’s game that it remains a point of emphasis for the team.
“It is something we’re trying to hone in on,” Miles said. “We’re trying to make sure that we’re getting out there during halftime, getting our legs back under us, making sure we’re still focused. We just gotta stop the run, or go on a run back.”
When asked about how she felt about the opportunity to face her former team in Thursday’s second-round game, Miles had only one thing to say.
“Yeah, I’m ready,” Miles laughed. “Yeah, that’s all I gotta say. I’m ready.”
Thursday
No. 12 seed Kentucky vs. No. 5 seed Tennessee
What: SEC Tournament second-round game
Where: Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C.
When: About 2:30 p.m. (25 minutes after Thursday’s noon game ends)
TV: SEC Network
Radio: WLAP-AM 630
Records: Kentucky 12-19, Tennessee 17-11
Series: Tennessee leads 60-16
Last meeting: Tennessee won 87-69 on Jan. 7, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn.
SEC Tournament
At Greenville, S.C.
Wednesday
▪ No. 13 seed Kentucky 64, No. 12 seed Georgia 50
▪ No. 11 Florida 66, No. 14 Missouri 60
Thursday
Noon: No. 8 Mississippi State (21-10) vs. No. 9 Texas A&M (18-11) (SEC Network)
About 2:30 p.m.: No. 5 Tennessee (17-11) vs. Kentucky (12-19) (SEC Network)
6 p.m.: No. 7 Auburn (19-10) vs. No. 10 Arkansas (18-13) (SEC Network)
About 8:30 p.m.: No. 6 Vanderbilt (22-8) vs. Florida (15-14) (SEC Network)
Friday
Noon: No. 1 South Carolina (29-0) vs. Mississippi State-Texas A&M winner (SEC Network)
About 2:30 p.m.: No. 4 Alabama (23-8) vs. Tennessee-Kentucky winner (SEC Network)
6 p.m.: No. 2 LSU (26-4) vs. Auburn-Arkansas winner (SEC Network)
About 8:30 p.m.: No. 3 Mississippi (22-7) vs. Vanderbilt-Florida winner (SEC Network)
Saturday
4:30 p.m.: First semifinal (ESPNU)
About 7 p.m.: Second semifinal (ESPNU)
Sunday
3 p.m.: Championship game (ESPN)
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