LEXINGTON, Ky. — In their opening game under new head coach Kenny Brooks, the No. 22 Kentucky Wildcats showcased an impressive performance, securing a commanding 98-43 victory against South Carolina Upstate on Monday. Clara Strack emerged as a standout player, scoring an impressive 22 points, while Georgia Amoore contributed 11 points to the team’s total.

Brooks, who previously transformed Virginia Tech into a consistent NCAA Tournament contender, has introduced a roster with 11 new players, including Strack, a 6-foot-5 sophomore, and graduate senior Amoore, who is considered a potential All-American.

Amoore was particularly effective in the first quarter, scoring nine points, and her team’s early momentum was bolstered by scoring runs of 11 and nine points, enabling the Wildcats to establish a strong lead of 26-11 by the end of the first quarter. A dominant 15-point streak allowed Kentucky to extend their advantage to 47-18 at halftime.

The game also saw notable contributions from Teonni Key, Amelia Hassett, and freshman Clara Silva, each finishing with 14 points. Key and Hassett made their presence felt on the boards, securing nine rebounds each, while Silva had a perfect shooting night, going 6-for-6, along with an impressive six blocks.

Kentucky demonstrated superior shooting accuracy, achieving 52% from the field (35 of 67), in stark contrast to their opponents, who managed only 29% shooting. Furthermore, the Wildcats capitalized on USC Upstate’s mistakes, scoring an astonishing 34 points off the Spartans’ 18 turnovers.

Leading the scoring for USC Upstate were Rebekah Gordon and AC Markham, both of whom managed to net eight points.

The victory not only marks a successful start for Brooks and his newly assembled team but also sets a tone of dominance and collaboration that fans and players alike will be eager to maintain moving forward in the season.