LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) -- Unsure if Kentucky teammate Makayla Epps would return from a shoulder injury, senior guard Janee Thompson stepped up to provide veteran leadership that carried the Wildcats back in the Sweet 16.
Thompson scored 16 points, including nine straight over the third and fourth quarters, to help No. 3 seedKentucky beat sixth-seeded Oklahoma 79-58 for a second-round NCAA Tournament victory on Monday night.
The Wildcats (25-7) earned their fifth round of 16 berth in seven seasons and will play a few blocks away from campus at Rupp Arena, home of the men's team. Thompson deserves credit for helping her team through a tense stretch that featured a big hand from Epps despite playing with a sprained right shoulder.