Quick Start Leads Kentucky Past James Madison in NCAA First Round – UK Athletics

The Kentucky women’s basketball team used a 19-2 run in the first quarter to build a sizeable lead, then cruised past James Madison 71-56 on Saturday in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament in Morgantown, West Virginia. Tonie Morgan led the Cats with 18 points, while adding seven rebounds and seven assists. Amelia Hassett hit four three-point shots on her way to 14 points and Jordan Obi came off the bench to score 12 points. Clara Strack had a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds, while Teonni Key came up just short of a double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds. Kentucky scored first on a Key bucket and two Hassett free throws before JMU got on the board. Hassett hit a left wing three to extend the lead to 7-2, but James Madison scored to cut the UK lead to three. Hassett hit another three but JMU responded with a basket to cut the UK lead to 10-6. Morgan hit two free throws, Obi scored in the lane and Morgan made two more free throws to stretch the lead to 10. After the Dukes scored, Strack made a long two, Morgan made a three
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