Freshman Emily McDonald didn’t just score a season-best 27 points for No. 12 Kentucky on Wednesday night, she absolutely shredded the program record book with nine 3-pointers on just 12 attempts as the Wildcats routed Evansville 98-30. This isn’t just a win, this is a statement, especially when a record that was *just* tied on Sunday gets completely rewritten by a freshman days later.
The New Queen of the Arc Arrives, Fast
Talk about making an entrance! McDonald exploded for three of her nine 3-pointers in the opening four minutes of the fourth quarter alone to seal her spot in history. What makes this even wilder? Her teammate, Ajša Sivka, had *just* tied the program record of eight 3-pointers on Sunday against N.C. State, matching a mark Rhyne Howard set all the way back in February 2022. That record lasted all of three days! The Cats as a whole were cooking from deep, finishing 18 of 39 (46%) from beyond the arc. That performance tied the team record for makes in a single game, a mark they *also* hit on Sunday against the Wolfpack, and initially set way back on January 1, 2025, against Mississippi State. Clearly, Kentucky’s got a new offensive identity.
Complete Control From Tip-Off to Buzzer
This wasn’t just a record-breaking night for McDonald, it was a clinic for the entire No. 12 Kentucky squad. They locked Evansville down, holding them to a paltry four points in the entire second quarter to race out to a dominant 46-11 halftime lead. Kentucky was lights out from the field in the first half, shooting 60% overall and hitting 8 of 17 from 3-point range. Me’Arah O’Neal dropped 18 points, including the first 11 points of a 14-0 run that put Kentucky firmly in control at 35-9. Then, after Evansville barely cracked double digits, Sivka stepped up with back-to-back 3-pointers to ignite another 11-0 run, stretching the lead to that 46-11 halftime score. Sivka finished with 12 points, and Clara Strack added 11, proving this team has offensive firepower all over the floor, with six different Wildcats nailing a 3-pointer. Evansville, now 0-3, was led by Jayden Scott with 14 points, but they simply had no answer for Kentucky’s onslaught.
What’s Next for the Undefeated Wildcats
Kentucky is now a perfect 4-0 on the season, and with performances like this, they’re building some serious momentum. They’ll look to keep that undefeated streak alive when they host Eastern Michigan this coming Sunday. For Evansville, they’re still searching for their first win of the season and will travel to Eastern Illinois on Saturday. This Kentucky team is looking dangerous, and if McDonald keeps shooting like this, nobody’s going to want to face them.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply