Nov. 26, 1999
HARTFORD, Conn. — The University of Kentucky women?s basketball fell early to the Clemson Tigers and could not recover, dropping 70-65 in the consolation round of the Coaches vs. Cancer Challenge on Friday.
The Cats, coming off a near defeat over top-ranked UConn on Wednesday, fell behind by as many as 16 points in the first half, shooting a dismal 10-of-33 (30.3 percent) from the floor.” UK would head to the lockerroom down 37-25 at the half. Junior Laura Meadows was the only offensive threat, netting 10 points.” The remaining four UK starters combined for a total of 12 points.
?We are a much better team than we performed tonight,? UK Coach Bernadette Mattox said.” ?I liked the way we fought back at the end of the game, but I wished we would have fought like that the entire game. It?s very disappointing.?
UK came out more aggressive in the second half, cutting the lead to three, 66-63, with :16 seconds remaining in the game.” The Cats were fueled by the inside game of post players Shantia Owens and Tanesha Seaton.” The duo helped UK score 42 points in the paint compared to Clemson?s 26 points.
However, the Cats were outrebounded on the offensive board 25 to 18 and Clemson nailed 27-of-38 from the charity line, including four-of-four in the final seconds to seal the victory.
?We can?t give up 25 offensive rebounds and expect to win,? Mattox said.” ?We also got in foul trouble early which hurt us and we turned the ball over way too many times.?
UK outscored Clemson 40-33 in the second half, despite five Cats with three or more fouls. UK committed 19 total turnovers compared to eight Clemson turnovers.
Meadows led all scorers with 16 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.” It was her seventh career double-double.” Owens also netted 16 points while Seaton added nine.
Three Tigers scored in double figures with Erin Batth and Amirah Leonard leading with 15 points apiece. Datishella Byrd recorded 10.
The Cats return home on Wednesday, Dec. 1 to rekindle the interstate rival with Western Kentucky. Game time is slated for 7 p.m. in Memorial Coliseum.
