No. 15 Wildcats Drop to No. 25 Arkansas

UK junior Chasity Patterson drives against Arkansas in Sunday's road matchup. (UK Athletics Photo)

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Chasity Patterson scored a career-high 32 points, and Rhyne Howard returned to the lineup, scoring 20 points, but the 15th-ranked Kentucky women's basketball team lost at No. 25 Arkansas 103-85 on Sunday afternoon at Bud Walton Arena.

Patterson scored 21 of her points in the fourth quarter, and 26 in the second half. The junior connected on 11 of 18 from the floor, including five of seven from behind the arc. She also made all five of her free throws in the game.

Howard played for the first time in nearly two weeks after breaking a finger on her left hand. Despite being somewhat rusty, the sophomore made seven of 21 shots from the floor, including one of 10 from behind the arc. She also made five of seven from the line in scoring 20 or more points for the 14th time this season and the 24th time in her career.

The Cats proved that they would not go away quietly in the fourth quarter. Kentucky got a three from Patterson and back-to-back baskets from Howard to cut the Arkansas lead to 71-61. After Arkansas extended its lead to 15 points on a three from Chelsea Dungee, Patterson scored six in a row to get the Cats within nine, 78-69. Kentucky would eventually get within eight, but would get no closer.

Kentucky returns to action on Sunday, hosting Mississippi State at Memorial Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. ET and the game can be seen on ESPN2.