Women’s hoops has four players score in double figures.
(Feb. 13, 2000) — Four Wildcats scored in double figures as theUniversity of Kentucky held on to defeat SouthCarolina on Sunday 73-71 in Memorial Coliseum.LaTonya McDole led UK with 16 points.
The Cats (12-10, 4-6 Southeastern Conference)came out on fire in the first half jumping to a16-point lead with 10 minutes remaining in the half.South Carolina (12-11, 2-9 SEC) battled back tobring the score within three (62-59) on two ofsenior Annie Lester’s career-high 32 points. The6-0 forward scored 14 points in the first half and 18in the second, while also leading the LadyGamecocks with seven rebounds.
“Lester is a big-time senior who stepped up forthem today, ” UK Coach Bernadette Mattox said.”That’s what seniors are supposed to do. Like Erica(Jackson) and Tiffany (Wait). That is what they didtonight as well. They stepped up for us and put upsome big-time points when we needed them.”
Kentucky led by six (71-65) at the 3:41 markbefore USC guard Kelly Morrone nailed a fieldgoal and a three-point shot to narrow the margin toone point with 1:46 left in the game. McDole putback a missed jumper by Laura Meadows to pushthe Cats’ lead back to three, 73-70. After aWildcat foul on Meadows, Lester hit one of twofree throws. Senior center Shantia Owens grabbedthe defensive rebound on the missed free throwbefore two UK turnovers gave USC the ball backwith four seconds to go. Lady Gamecock ShantaJeffcoat’s shot to tie the game hit the back boardand rimmed out.
“Four seconds is plenty of time to get the ball down the floor, take it to thehole and score,” USC Coach Susan Walvius said. “We got the ball inShanta’s hands, she took it to the hole, but it just rimmed out. When you arein a situation like that you want to get the ball inbounds and take it to thehole”
Jackson and Wait poured in 14 and 11 points respectively, while Meadowscame off the bench to net 15 points. Owens led with seven rebounds. Lesterled USC with 32 while Marrone charted 16 points and six assists. Lester’ssister Jocelyn Penn added 12 points in the effort.
“It just feels good to win,” Wait said. “This is the way we want to fell all thetime. We still have five games, including Georgia on Thursday, so we need tojust take it one game at a time.”
Kentucky shot 50.0 percent from the floor compared to South Carolina’s46.3 percent. The Cats scored 25 points off 26 Lady Gamecock turnoversand recorded 23 points from bench play. The Cats now lead the all-timeseries 16-7 with South Carolina and are 9-2 versus the Lady Gamecocks inLexington. UK will face USC again on Tuesday, Feb. 20 in Columbia, S.C.
Kentucky’s next game is Thursday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. when it plays host toNo. 2/No.3 Georgia in Memorial Coliseum. Fox Sports Net South willtelevise the game live as the SEC’s Game of the Week.
