Dec. 18, 1999
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The University of Kentucky women?s basketball team shot a season-low 21.5 percent, falling to No. 12 Purdue on Saturday, 48-40, in the first collegiate game in the Indiana Pacers’ Conseco Fieldhouse. Senior Erica Jackson led UK in scoring with 15 points.
The Cats (5-3) were ice cold in the first half, shooting a dismal 18 percent (6-of-32) from the floor. UK trailed 27-18 at the half, led by Jackson?s five points.
The second half proved to be much of the same as Kentucky did not hit a field goal until the 11:55 mark. A 9-2 Wildcat run cut the score to 35-29 sparked by Jackson. She nailed two three-pointers and two layups to pull Kentucky within five, 45-40, with :53 seconds remaining. It wouldn?t be enough however, as the Boilermakers (8-1) hit late free throws to seal the win.
“Defensively, we were right where we wanted to be,” UK Coach Bernadette Mattox said. “We missed 20-something layups tonight and that?s obviously why the game ended like it did. You can?t miss layups and expect to win. Defensively I was very proud of our team.”
Overall, Kentucky hit 16-of-45 from the floor and scored 14 points in the paint compared to Purdue?s 24 points. Seniors Tiffany Wait and Shantia Owens were held to a season-low four and two points, respectively, marking the first game this season only one Wildcat scored in double digits.
Kentucky will return to action versus Cincinnati in the Crown City on Wednesday, Dec. 22 at 7 p.m.
