Women’s basketball splits season series with South Carolina.

Box Score

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Feb. 20, 2000) — The University of Kentuckywomen’s basketball team lost its second straightSoutheastern Conference game, falling to SouthCarolina on Sunday 63-51.

The Wildcats, who defeated the Lady Gamecockslast Sunday in Lexington 73-71, never led the LadyGamecocks who outscored Kentucky (12-12, 4-8SEC) 34-24 in the second half. Senior Tiffany Waitled UK with 13 points while Shantia Owenscharted 10 points and a team-high eight rebounds.UK leading scorer LaTonya McDole, was held tosix points, but tied her career-high of six steals.

“It was an ugly basketball game and it is verydisappointing to have my players not show up forthis basketball game,” Coach Bernadette Mattoxsaid. “We knew what was on the line for this gametoday and the energy wasn’t there. We came outvery flat from the start.”

South Carolina (13-13, 3-10 SEC) forced 20turnovers and outrebounded the Cats 33-24. UKconnected on 4-of-7 from the charity stripecompared to USC’s 15-of-21. The Cats shot 36.8percent from the field while South Carolina shot44.7 percent.

Sophomore Jocelyn Penn led all scorers with 16points while her older sister, Annie Lester, netted13 points and grabbed eight rebounds in her finalhome game.

USC, who celebrated its Senior Day at the FrankMcGuire Arena, netted six three-pointers in the first half to take a 27-19lead. Senior Natalie Martinez came off the bench, nailing two three-pointersof her own to cut the lead to 30-27 at the intermission. Martinez finished witheight points.

UK leads the all-time series 16-8, but is 4-6 when playing in Columbia. TheCats snapped a three-game win streak over the Lady Gamecocks.

Kentucky returns to action on Tuesday, Feb. 22 when it plays host to instaterival Louisville at 7 p.m. in Memorial Coliseum.