December 9, 1998

Lexington, Ky. – The University of Kentucky women’s basketball team overwhelmed Miami (Ohio) University, 76-56, in its first home game in three weeks.

The Wildcats (7-1, 1-0) charted their seventh win of the season, markingthe first time since the 1984-85 season that the Cats have begun the seasonwith seven wins. UK now holds a 8-1 all-time record over the RedHawks(5-4, 1-0).

UK looked sluggish at the start of the game, leading by only five (22-17)with six minutes left in the first half. However, a 14-4 run sparked byjunior Tiffany Wait, helped UK take a 35-20 halftime lead.

The Cats came out in the second half to push the lead to 22 at theeight-minute mark, shooting 48.5 percent from the floor. All 13 players saw action versus Miami with eleven players adding pointsfor the Wildcats. Wait led UK with 12 points, seven assists and two stealswhile Jamie Stewart led Miami with 17 points. Junior reserve Katie Viethalso scored a season-high nine points for Kentucky while freshman LaTonyaMcDole and sophomore Laura Meadows both added eight.

“We wanted to have the opportunity to play our bench tonight,” UK CoachBernadette Mattox said. “We needed these players to step up and get gameexperience. When it comes time to play in January and February, we needthese players to produce and come in and help. Tonight they got thatopportunity.”

The Cats will return to Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 1 p.m.versus Liberty. Last season, Liberty and Tennessee made history bybecoming the first two undefeated teams to meet in the first round of theNCAA Tournament.