Emily McDonald scores 27 and sets record with 9 3s as No. 12 Kentucky women rout Evansville 98-30

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Freshman Emily McDonald scored a season-best 27 points and set a program record with nine 3-pointers — on just 12 attempts — and No. 12 Kentucky routed Evansville 98-30 on Wednesday.

McDonald made three 3-pointers in the opening four minutes of the fourth quarter to reach nine and break a record that teammate Ajša Sivka tied on Sunday against N.C. State. Sivka matched Rhyne Howard’s mark of eight that had stood since Feb. 27, 2022.

Kentucky finished 18 of 39 (46%) beyond the arc, tying the team record for makes in a game. The Wildcats also went 18 of 39 on Sunday against the Wolfpack to tie the team mark set on Jan. 1, 2025, in an SEC opener against Mississippi State.

Me’Arah O’Neal added 18 points for Kentucky (4-0). Ajsa Sivka scored 12, and Clara Strack had 11. Six different Wildcats made a 3-pointer.

Jayden Scott led Evansville (0-3) with 14 points.

Kentucky held Evansville to just four points in the second quarter to take a 46-11 lead at the break. The Wildcats shot 60% from the field in the first half, including 8 of 17 from 3-point range.

O’Neal scored the first 11 points of a 14-0 run that put Kentucky in control at 35-9. After Evansville reached double digits with 4:58 left before the break, Sivka made back-to-back 3-pointers to begin another 11-0 run that ended in a 46-11 lead.

Up next

Evansville: Plays at Eastern Illinois on Saturday.

Kentucky: Hosts Eastern Michigan on Sunday.