SEC tournament roundup: Kentucky pounds Arkansas in opener

Field Level Media|published: Wed 4th March, 16:03 2026

Kentucky Wildcats forward Amelia Hassett (32) blocks the shot of Arkansas Razorbacks guard Taleyah Jones (10) Wednesday, March 4, 2026, during the SEC Women's Basketball Tournament first round game at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.

Clara Strack racked up 20 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks and Amelia Hassett drained six 3-pointers for her 18 points as No. 17 Kentucky kicked off the SEC women's basketball tournament with a 94-64 romp over Arkansas on Wednesday in Greenville, S.C.

The Wildcats (22-9) were seeded ninth in a competitive SEC but breezed through their opening-round game over 16th-seeded Arkansas (12-20). They led 29-10 after one quarter, and though the Razorbacks cut the halftime deficit to 42-33, a lopsided third quarter allowed Kentucky to go up by as many as 36 in the fourth.

Tonie Morgan had 14 points and 10 assists while Jordan Obi put up 14 points and 10 rebounds for Kentucky. Teonni Key scored 12 and Asia Boone added 10. Kentucky controlled the boards 52-27, leading to 17 second-chance points.

Taleyah Jones had a game-high 21 points to pace Arkansas. Bonnie Deas added 10 points and eight boards before fouling out.

Florida 86, Mississippi State 68

Liv McGill and Me'Arah O'Neal poured in 22 points apiece and the 12th-seeded Gators never trailed against the 13th-seeded Bulldogs.

McGill came close to triple-double territory, adding 10 assists and seven rebounds, while O'Neal canned 4 of 6 3-point tries for Florida (18-14). An early 12-2 run put the Gators ahead by double digits, and they never took their foot off the gas from there.

Favour Nwaedozi paired 12 points with 10 rebounds and Destiney McPhaul also scored 12 for Mississippi State (18-13). The Bulldogs allowed Florida to shoot 50% overall, and the Gators also benefited from 22-for-28 free-throw shooting.

--Field Level Media