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(Jan. 3, 2001) — For the fourth consecutive year the Kentucky women’s basketball team will open conference play against Auburn. The Wildcats take on the 20th-ranked Tigers on Thursday, January 4 at 8 p.m. ET in the Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum in Auburn, Ala.

The game marks the conference opener for both teams.

The Cats have won three of the last four games against the Tigers, including a 71-69 upset over the fifth-ranked team last season in Lexington. UK has not lost in Auburn since an 88-46 setback in 1996.

“This is the second season,” UK Coach Bernadette Mattox said. “Auburn is a great rebounding team. We have to box out because we will not get second chance opportunities against them.”

In Kentucky’s last game, the Cats (4-7) easily handled Florida Atlantic, 112-71, in Lexington. The Cats’ 112 points were the most since a 103-75 triumph over Bradley in 1990 and their 25 steals were three shy of a school record. Junior forward LaTonya McDole led five Cats in double-figures with a career-high 28 points and seven steals.

McDole has charted double-figure points in nine of Kentucky’s 11 games this season, including four straight. McDole has recorded three double-doubles this season, eight in her career. She and freshman center SeSe Helm lead the team in scoring with 13.0 ppg. McDole also leads the team in rebounding with 8.3 boards per game. In the last two games she averaged 21 points and 11 rebounds per game.

Four of UK’s next five opponents are ranked in the national polls. The last time UK defeated a ranked opponent was last season versus Auburn (1/6/00).

The Tigers are 12-2 this season after dropping their last two games. Auburn fell to Clemson on Dec. 21 and was upset by Illinois on Saturday in Auburn.