November 28, 1998

HONOLULU – The University of Kentucky women’s basketball team used patience and a full court press to hand Hawaii its first loss of the season, 66-57, in the 20th Annual Rainbow Wahine Classic on Saturday. Despite trailing 36-29 at the half, the Wildcats used a full court press to cause 10 Hawaii turnovers in the second half to take the lead for the first time with 10 minutes remaining in the game.

Senior Jaye Barnes, who was held scoreless in the first half, sparked the Wildcats offense with 13 second half points and eight rebounds.

Leading scorers for Kentucky were sophomore Laura Meadows and junior Erica Jackson with 15 points apiece. UK outrebounded the Rainbows 40-31 and shot 40.9 percent from the floor.

The Cats also held Hawaii’s leading scorer Raylene Howard to a season-low 15 points. Leading the Rainbow Wahine (4-1) was Crystal Lee with 16 points. Kyla Evers also netted double figures with 12 points.

“I am very proud of the heart our kids gave,” UK Coach Bernadette Mattox said. “Our second half press really helped and I felt we came out strong and wore them down. We were more patient in the second half and we adjusted our defense. That was the key to the game.”

Kentucky, which is 5-0 for the first time since the 1986-87 season, defeated Louisville (73-62) for the first time in three years to advance to today’s semifinal action. The Wildcats will face the winner of No. 12 UCLA and No. 5 North Carolina on Sunday, Nov. 29 at 8:30 EST.