November 20, 1998

For the first time in 13 years, the Kentucky women’s basketball team defeated Ohio State on its home court, winning 92-84 in overtime in Columbus, Ohio on Thursday.

In the inaugural women’s basketball game at the new $105 million Jerome Schottenstein Center, the Wildcats, who had not won in Columbus since Dec. 30, 1985, came out strong in the first half. The Cats pulled away by nine points on their way to outscoring OSU, 40-35. Junior college transfer Shantia Owens led the charge early in the game, netting 10 of her 12 points all in the first half.

The Buckeyes (1-1) came out of intermission charged by Larecha Jones five straight buckets, including two three-pointers, to put OSU ahead of the Wildcats for the first time since early in the first half. After five lead changes the Cats pulled ahead by two points on two of point guard Erica Jackson’s 13 free throws with eight seconds remaining in regulation. OSU answered with a quick layup by Marrita Porter to force the game into overtime. UK went on to outscore OSU 11-3 in overtime. The Cats were led by Jackson and junior Tiffany Wait, who combined for all of UK’s points in overtime.

“I felt our team did a great job of drawing fouls and hitting their free throws when it counted,” UK Coach Bernadette Mattox said. “We sensed they were tired and we stepped up our game.”

The Wildcats shot an impressive 68 percent from the field and 64.7 percent from the free throw line. Five Wildcats charted double figures with senior Jaye Barnes and Jackson leading the squad with 21 points apiece. Jones led the Buckeyes with a career-high 30 points while Porter added 25 points and 12 rebounds.

UK will travel to Martin, Tenn., on Sunday, Nov. 22 to face UT-Martin in its annual Sky Hawk Classic at 3 p.m. ET.