December 19, 1998

WICHITA, Kan. – Three Wildcats scored in double figures to give the Kentucky women’s basketball team a 90-71 victory over Eastern Illinois in the first round of the 18th Annual Pizza Hut Shocker Shootout in Wichita, Kan., on Saturday.

Senior Jaye Barnes led UK to its eighth victory of the season with 18 points while juniors Shantia Owens and Tiffany Wait added 16 and 15 respectively. UK also won the battle of the boards, outrebounding the Panthers with a season-high 58 rebounds. EIU grabbed 27 rebounds. The Wildcats (8-2, 1-0) grabbed 25 offensive rebounds compared to Eastern Illinoisi seven. UK freshman Tanesha Seaton led all rebounders with a career high 10 boards.

The Panthers (1-6, 0-2) trailed by only six points with two minutes remaining in the first half but never came closer as Kentucky went on a 12-3 run to take a 43-28 halftime lead. The Cats took its biggest lead of the game with nine minutes remaining, going ahead 72-44. However, EIU’s Leah Aldrich went on a scoring spree, scoring 20 of her game-high 28 points in the second half. Also scoring double digits for the Panthers was guard Monica Bernat with 14.

This marks the second time this season Kentucky will play in the championship game of a preseason tournament. The Cats defeated Louisville and Hawaii to face No.8 UCLA in the championships of the Rainbow Wahine Classic earlier this year. Kentucky will meet host team Wichita State (6-1) in the championship game on Sunday, Dec. 20 at 5 p.m. EST.