Lexington, Ky. -- Morehead State got off to a cold shooting start and battled to the end as the Eagles went down to the 14^th-ranked Kentucky Wildcats 85-42 Monday night in Historic Memorial Coliseum in Lexington.
 
Morehead State (0-1) was paced by Kensley Feltner with 16 points. The Belmont transfer from Louisa shot 6-11 from the floor, including 3-6 from three-point range. Lanae Riley finished with 11 points.
 
Kentucky (1-0) placed five players in double figures, led by Clara Strack with 17 points on 8-18 shooting from the floor. Ajsa Sivka, Diana Collins and Maddyn Greenway added a dozen points apiece. Me'Arah O'Neal and Emily McDonald finished with 10 points each.
 
Morehead State struggled to get into an offensive rhythm in the opening 20 minutes against the taller and longer Wildcats. The Eagles shot 2-12 from the floor in the first quarter and 3-13 in the second 10 minutes.
 
Morehead State warmed up in the second half. After a slow start in the third quarter, the Eagles finished 6-18 from the floor for 33%. MSU shot better in the fourth frame, hitting 6-12 from the floor and 2-4 from three-point range.
 
Morehead State gets back to action Thursday with its home opener against Eastern Kentucky in Johnson Arena, as part of a men's/women's doubleheader. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:45. The game can be heard on the Eagle Sports Network (flagship WIVY 96.3 FM). It will also be streamed on ESPN+.
 
NOTABLE

• The Wildcats out-rebounded the Eagles 49-30. UK's Savannah Swords posted a game-high 11. Heidi Smith led MSU with seven.
• Morehead State committed 20 turnovers; Kentucky committed eight miscues.
• The Eagles shot 17-55 (30.9%) from the floor and 4-12 (33.3%) from three-point range. Kentucky shot 34-76 (44.7%) and 5-23 (21.7%) from three-point range.
• The Eagles went 4-9 from the free throw line. The Wildcats hit 12 of their 15 charity stripe.