LEXINGTON, KY. | The Alabama State University women's basketball fell to Kentucky 87-35 at Memorial Coliseum to open the season Wednesday night.
 
"We knew we had our work cut out for us, but I never expected us to have 40 turnovers," head coach Freda Freeman-Jackson said. "We were within one at the end of the first, then we got too relaxed and made too many mistakes."
 
Ayana Emmanuel led Alabama State (0-1) with eight points on 3-of-5 shooting from the field, while Shmya Ward grabbed a team-high eight rebounds. Emmanuel and Tatyana Calhoun each added four rebounds, respectively.

Kentucky (1-0) had four players in double figures, led by Taylor Murray with 16 points, Blair Green (13), Rhyne Howard (15) and Maci Morris (11).
 
The Lady Hornets hit 14-of-41 (34.1 percent) from the floor, making 4-of-11 (36.4 percent) from behind the arc. Alabama State was able to convert 3-of-5 free throws (60.0 percent).
 
Meanwhile, Kentucky hit 30-of-80 (37.5 percent) from the floor, including 10-of-25 (40.0 percent) from three-point range, while winning the rebounding battle 43-35. The Wildcats had 14 turnovers, while the Lady Hornets had 43 that Kentucky turned into 51 points.
 
The two teams traded baskets to open the contest and the Lady Hornets were within one to end the first quarter, 15-14. However, the Wildcats outscored Alabama State 72-21 through the next three quarters to get the victory.
 
"Going into Sunday, we need to remain motivated and make sure we don't turn the ball over," Jackson said. "We will make adjustments in practice over the next two days to ensure we don't throw the ball away like that again."

Alabama State returns to action Sunday at home, facing South Carolina. Tip is set for 3 pm inside the Dunn-Oliver Acadome, with pregame at 2:45 pm on the Hornet Sports Network.
 
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