What Kentucky, Kyra Elzy said about Dre'una Edwards' storybook shot to win SEC Tournament
NASHVILLE – Kentucky inbounded the ball with 11 seconds left in the SEC Tournament championship Sunday, down one point against South Carolina.
The Wildcats hadn't led since the end of the first quarter and fought their way back from a 15-point deficit in the third quarter. Rhyne Howard wasn't open on the last inbounds play, so the ball went to sophomore Treasure Hunt. She handed it off to Jazmine Massengill, who dribbled past Dre'una Edwards, wide open at the 3-point line.
Massengill whipped the ball across her body to Edwards, who let it fly – and she knew it was good. After all, the junior had been shooting 52.4% all game.
"I was very confident," Edwards said. "I can shoot. I knew I was going to hit the shot."
After Edwards drained the three 3, pandemonium broke loose in Bridgestone Arena. Kentucky was going to win its first SEC Tournament in 40 years.
Howard – who was awarded named tournament MVP – said it felt like a scene from a movie, watching the shot fall in storybook fashion to upset South Carolina 64-62 on Sunday. With 4.2 seconds left, Howard threw her hands in the air, celebrating, before running back to defend.
"It went in, I don't even know what I saw," Howard said. "Everybody was just jumping around. They didn't even – I don't know why (South Carolina) didn't throw the ball in, because we were not set. But it was one of those moments, like picture perfect."
Kentucky coach Kyra Elzy knew Howard would be under pressure on the inbounds play, so she told Edwards to take the shot in rhythm if she was open.
"Don't make any decision, a rhythm shot – I'm confident in that shot," Elzy said. "When the shot went up, I knew it was good. It looked good. I started running down the sidelines. I knew it was good."
Edwards – who was named to the SEC All-Tournament team – had 27 points and nine rebounds in the victory over the No. 1 Gamecocks (29-2), and averaged 20.5 points in the last 10 wins. She had two double-doubles to start the SEC Tournament and has been a game-changer in the fourth quarter for the Wildcats (19-11).
"I am so proud of Dre," Elzy said. "We did hit heads early on, but she came back a better person, a better player, and committed to what we needed to get done in Kentucky women's basketball, and she has helped this program move forward."
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Edwards and Howard said it meant a lot to get the win for their coach, with whom they both admitted they bumped heads with early on in the season.
"But at the end of the (day), she had our backs more than anyone else," Howard said. "So we knew we had to step up for her and for ourselves."
Edwards and Howard shared a long hug after the game, soaking in the moment.
"We looked at each other and we both said, 'I love you, man,' " Edwards said. "Rhyne kept saying thank you, and I said, 'Man, this one was for you. I had to get you one before you left, man, I had to.' "
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: What Kentucky players, Kyra Elzy said about Dre'una Edwards' shot
