Barnes Named MVP
HANOVER, N.H.–The University of Kentuckywomen’s basketball team defeated Northeastern 76-39on Saturday, Dec. 27 winning its seventh straight gameto take home the Dartmouth Citizen’s Bank ClassicChampionship title. Forward Jaye Barnes was namedthe tournament’s Most Valuable Player after scoring acombined 29 points in the tournament. Guard LauraMeadows was named to her second all-tournamentteam of the season as she netted a two-day 15 pointsand 14 rebounds.
Kentucky (8-4) dominated Northeastern (4-6) from the start, jumping out toa 31-17 lead at the half. The Wildcats then went on a 13-0 run and neverlooked back. UK led by as much as 14 points the entire second half,shooting 30 of 68 from the floor and 14 of 21 from the charity line. Reserveforward Natasha Ross grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds as UK’s benchcontributed 32 of the 76 points. Four Wildcats scored in double figures asBarnes netted 13, Meadows and Nikki Hay added 11 and Tiffany Waitscored 10 points.
“Everybody contributed off the bench and played an outstanding basketballgame,” UK coach Bernadette Mattox said. “There was great intensity ondefense and there was great offensive continuity.”
Northeastern, who defeated host team Dartmouth in the first round onFriday, was led by Tesha Tinsley’s 16 points. “I’m really excited about thiswin,” Mattox said. “We played hard offensively and defensively. Today wehad more chemistry which was one of our focal points.”
Kentucky (8-4) met UMass (6-4) in the first round of the tournament,defeating the Minutewomen 57-51. Barnes led all scorers with 16 points andwas the Wildcats co-leading rebounder with Wait with seven boards. UK’sseven-game winning streak marks the first time the Wildcats have won sevenin a row since the 1992-93 season when UK won seven consecutive gamesbefore losing to Auburn (52-49) at home. UK went undefeated this seasonin the month of December at 7-0.
UK’s next game will be on Sunday, Jan. 4 when they travel to Gainsville,Fla., to face No. 12 Florida in its second SEC match-up of the season.
