CINCINNATI, Ohio — The University of Kentucky women’s basketballteam defeated Louisiana State 74-71, in overtime at the The Crown to snapits three-game losing streak on Wednesday.

The Wildcats (9-7, 2-3) led 29-24 at the half before the Lady Tigers (10-6,2-3) rallied back to within two points after UK’s leading scorer, LauraMeadows, fouled out with two minutes to go in regulation play.With 29seconds remaining in the game LSU’s Latasha Dorsey drove the lane to tiethe game for the first time in the second half, 64-64.

“Everybody stepped up and made shots when we needed to and that is whathas been hendering us in the last few games,” UK Coach Bernadette Mattoxsaid.

In overtime, the Wildcats relied on free throw shooting to put them up by sixpoints with two minutes remaining in overtime. Senior Kim Denkins nailedfour straight free throws in OT and sophomore Patrice Boyd stepped up tohit two free throws with 29 seconds remaining to seal the victory.

The Wildcats hit 13 of 20 free throws for the night. Freshman guard LauraMeadows led Kentucky in scoring with 18 points, as Denkins added 11 andsophomore Katie Vieth scored a season high 10 points.

Aga Cieslak led four Lady Tiger’s in double figures, scoring 20 points.

“I’m very pleased with all the players,” Mattox said. “Even after Laura(Meadows) fouled out, Patrice (Boyd) came in a game us some solidminutes.”

Kentucky’s nine wins marks the most wins in Coach Mattox’s three-yearstint. The last two seasons the Wildcats have finished 8-19.

The Wildcats will face No. 1 and undefeated (18-0) Tennessee on Sunday,Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. in Memorial Coliseum.

In exhibition action, a group of Kentucky basketball alumni teams dropped a108-95 decision to Athletes in Action. Ed Davender led UK with 24 points,while Anthony Epps and Sean Woods each posted 17 points and combinedfor 16 assists, nine from Woods. Jeff Brassow scored 14 points and DeronFeldhous chipped in 12. Henry Thomas and Kenny Walker rounded out theUK alumni squad, scoring six and five points, respectively.