Kentucky pulls away in fourth quarter to whip Lady Vols

Knoxville News Sentinel file photo by Saul Young via AP / Tennessee women's basketball coach Kellie Harper's team is 12-4 overall and 6-2 in SEC play after Thursday night's 71-56 loss at Kentucky.
Knoxville News Sentinel file photo by Saul Young via AP / Tennessee women's basketball coach Kellie Harper's team is 12-4 overall and 6-2 in SEC play after Thursday night's 71-56 loss at Kentucky.

Kentucky used a 25-9 run in the fourth quarter to whip Tennessee 71-56 in Southeastern Conference women's basketball Thursday night inside Rupp Arena, avenging a 70-53 win by the Lady Volunteers in Knoxville on Jan. 24.

Chasity Patterson scored 21 points and Jazmine Massengill added 11 for the No. 20 Wildcats (14-5, 7-4). Each went 3-of-5 from 3-point range, with Massengill, the 6-foot junior guard from Hamilton Heights, posting a solid outing after going scoreless against Tennessee last month in Thompson-Boling Arena.

Kentucky junior guard Rhyne Howard scored only eight points and was just 4-of-13 from the floor, but the 6-2 former Bradley Central standout collected seven rebounds, seven steals and six assists while committing just one turnover.

The No. 16 Lady Vols (12-4, 6-2) used a 21-9 third quarter to take a 47-46 lead that would quickly evaporate in the final 10 minutes. They were led by Rae Burrell's 22 points, with Jordan Horston adding 11.

Senior starter Rennia Davis didn't make the trip to Lexington due to the league's COVID-19 protocols.

Tennessee made just 35.5% of its shots (22-of-62) from the floor, 27.3% from the 3-point line (3-of-11) and 50% on free-throws (9-of-18). The Lady Vols play again Sunday afternoon at No. 6 Texas A&M (18-1, 9-1).

Compiled by David Paschall. Contact him at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524. Follow him on Twitter @DavidSPaschall.

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