UK women's basketball team head shots for the 2011-12 season. Photo by Chet White | UK Athletics

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - DeNesha Stallworth had 16 points, and No. 7 Kentucky used a first-half surge to defeat Middle Tennessee State 68-46 on Sunday.

The Wildcats (8-1) struggled in the first half and were being out-rebounded 19-6 at one point late in the first half. But Middle Tennessee State's persistence on the boards meant little because of how poorly it was shooting; the Blue Raiders were 6 of 24 from the floor in the first half and 0 for 8 from 3-point range.

The Blue Raiders (6-4) endured an 11-minute stretch in the first half over which it had no field goals and scored only two points. Over that time, Kentucky stretched its lead from two points to 16.

The Blue Raiders did not get closer than 10 points for the rest of the game.

Icelyn Elie finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds for Middle Tennessee State.