Jennings leads No. 11 Kentucky over Alabama 78-66

Jan 2, 2015, 05:50 pm

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alexis Jennings scored 21 points, Janee Thompson added 12 points and a career-high 10 assists, and No. 11 Kentucky opened SEC play with a 78-66 comeback win over Alabama on Friday.

Kentucky (12-2, 1-0) trailed 42-32 with 16:54 left but outscored Alabama (11-5, 0-1) 42-13 to go up 74-55 at the 4:08 mark. The Wildcats' pressure defense led to twelve Alabama turnovers during that stretch.

The Wildcats surged in front 51-47, but the Crimson Tide tied it at 51 and 54. After that, Kentucky took the lead for good with 18 straight points.

Meoshonti Knight's putback at the first-half buzzer sent Alabama into the break with a 36-28 lead. The Crimson Tide had 15 offensive rebounds and outrebounded Kentucky 31-13 in the first period.

Makayla Epps added 14 points and Jennifer O'Neill scored 12 for Kentucky.

Hannah Cook had 18 points and Nikki Hegstetter grabbed 14 boards for the Tide.