Jan. 10, 2003
Lexington, Ky. – The Kentucky women’s basketball will cap off an exciting weekend when it plays host to Alabama in its conference opener on Sunday, Jan. 12 at 3 p.m. at Memorial Coliseum. The jersey of former women’s basketball great Valerie Still also will be retired during halftime ceremonies, marking the first female athlete to receive such an honor at UK. The game will be televised live on Fox Sports South.
The Wildcats (7-5) are 12-14 all-time against Alabama and 6-4 when playing in Lexington. UK looks to get back on the winning track after an 86-62 setback at Louisville last Sunday. UK has won three of its last five league openers. Alabama is just 3-10 all-time in league openers, including a current five-game losing streak.
“We are very excited about this weekend,” UK Coach Bernadette Mattox said. “It’s always a great game against Alabama and we are hoping to begin this tough conference race on a positive note. Being a part of Valerie’s jersey retirement also is very special and we hope everyone comes out to see history being made.”
Through the last five games, the Cats are shooting 51.0 percent from the floor, including 54.0 percent (34-63) from three-point land. Senior Rita Adams leads four starters in double digits with 14.5 points a game. Sara Potts, ranked 14th in the nation in three-point field goal percentage, is the team’s second leading scorer with 12.6 ppg. Freshman Jenny Pfeiffer and SeSe Helm follow with 11.4 and 10.7 ppg, respectively.
Mt. Sterling native, Beth Vice, will play her final game in Lexington. The Alabama senior became the 19th player to reach 1,000 points last week. Vice is the Tide’s second-leading scorer with 12.9 points per game. Senior Jamilah Johns, a transfer from LSU in 2000, leads UA in both scoring (14.4) and rebounding (9.2).
UK great Valerie Still’s jersey will be retired during halftime ceremonies. Still is the all-time leading scorer (2,763) and rebounder (1,525) for both the UK men and women.
Tickets are only $5 for adults, $2 for children ages 18 and under and senior citizens. UK students, faculty and staff are admitted free with valid identification. Tickets are available online at ukathletics.com or by calling 859-257-1818.
