HALFTIME: Kentucky 38, Duke 30

LEXINGTON, Ky.—Playing their third game in seven days, the No. 13 Blue Devils trail No. 8 Kentucky 38-30 at halftime at Rupp Arena. Turnovers have been an issue for Duke thus far, making it difficult for the Blue Devils to string together possessions and put together any sort of run against the unbeaten Wildcats.

The Blue Devils have stayed within striking distance behind the play of its backcourt, even though redshirt sophomore Rebecca Greenwell has been almost nonexistent on the offensive end. The game in Lexington is a homecoming of sorts for the Owensboro, Ky., native, but Duke's sharpshooter attempted just two shots from the floor in the half and headed to the locker room with a single point.

Instead, freshmen Kyra Lambert, Crystal Primm and Angela Salvadores have shouldered the load, combining for 19 points.

After the Blue Devils cut Kentucky’s lead to one midway through the second quarter, the Wildcats made a run, putting some distance between themselves and the Blue Devils heading into the break. Forward Evelyn Akhator has been the star for the Wildcats, pummeling Duke in the paint throughout much of the half for 12 points on 5-of-5 shooting.

Here are some observations from the first half:

• A mix of turnovers and ill-advised fouls kept the Blue Devils off the board for their first five possessions. Junior Oderah Chidom picked up two fouls in the game's first 29 seconds, and redshirt freshman Lyneé Belton has been whistled for three.
• Lambert provided a much-needed spark in the first period with a 3-pointer just before the media timeout.
• Akhator scored 12 of Kentucky's first 16 points.
• The Wildcats ended the first period with late 3-pointer, sending the Blue Devils to the sideline looking frustrated and out-of-sorts.
• After the first 10 minutes, Kentucky had built a 22-13 lead while committing just three turnovers.
• Greenwell did not score her first point until five seconds remaining in the first period.