NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In a commanding performance, Clara Strack contributed 25 points and 15 rebounds while Teonni Key added another double-double as the No. 14 Kentucky Wildcats defeated the No. 19 Illinois fighting Illini with a score of 76-53 during the Music City Classic on Wednesday night. This victory maintained Kentucky’s unbeaten record of 7-0 for the season.

The game remained closely contested through the third quarter, with Kentucky leading 50-44. However, they unleashed a powerful offensive surge in the final quarter, outscoring Illinois 26-9, including an 18-0 run that fully demoralized the Illini. In the decisive fourth quarter, Kentucky shot 11 of 22, with Dazia Lawrence being a standout, scoring 10 points. Additionally, the Wildcats capitalized on Illinois’s eight turnovers, converting them into 13 points, while the Illini managed only 3 of 15 shooting in that period.

Joining Strack in the scoring, Lawrence finished with 15 points, while Key recorded 12 points alongside her 10 rebounds. Amelia Hassett also made a noteworthy contribution with 10 points for the Wildcats. The Illini initially took the lead at the end of the first quarter after scoring the last seven points, bringing the score to 18-14. Furthermore, a layup from Gretchen Dolan in the second quarter allowed Illinois to tie the game at 28 by halftime.

As the game progressed, Kentucky began to pull ahead, establishing a 10-point lead late in the third quarter. However, a crucial three-point play from Dolan narrowed the gap to six points as they entered the final quarter.

Adalia McKenzie was the leading scorer for Illinois with 18 points, but the team struggled from beyond the arc, going 1 of 16 on three-point attempts and shooting just 27% overall. Makira Cook contributed 11 points, while Kendall Bostic added a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Looking ahead, Illinois will face Canisius on Sunday, while Kentucky prepares for a matchup against North Carolina on Thursday in the SEC/ACC Challenge.