January 27, 1999

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky women’s basketball team hopes to keep itstwo-game win streak alive when it faces Florida on Thursday, Jan. 28 at 7p.m. in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.

The Wildcats are coming off a 76-72 win over 18th-ranked Alabama on Sundayand a 69-56 win over intrastate rival Louisville on Jan. 20. UK’s 13-6overall record is the best since 1992-93 when the Cats were 15-4.The Lady Gators (14-8, 3-4 Southeastern Conference) dropped out of both theAssociated Press and ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll after losing to No. 1Tennessee and LSU last week at home. This marks the first time UF has notbeen in the Top-25 national polls since the 1996-97 season.Four Wildcats average in double figures this season. Junior Tiffany Waitleads with 13.1 points per game while senior Jaye Barnes averages 11.9 ppg.

Sophomore Laura Meadows and junior Erica Jackson follow with 11.7 and 10.9ppg, respectively.UF’s leading scorer (16.9 ppg) and rebounder (8.2 rpg) Tonya Washington isnot expected to play in Thursday’s game versus Kentucky after injuring herknee. She scored a career-high 26 points in Florida’s 77-63 win over theCats on Jan. 3 in Memorial Coliseum.

The Wildcats (13-6, 3-4) look for their first win over the Lady Gators(14-8, 3-4) since winning 84-70 in Gainesville on Feb. 10, 1990. UF leadsthe series in Gainesville 6-4 and has won the last five games over the Cats.