December 27, 1998

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky women’s basketball team will play host to Cincinnati on Monday, Dec. 28 at 7 p.m. in Memorial Coliseum.

The Wildcats (9-2, 1-0) return to Lexington after winning the Pizza Hut Shocker Shootout hosted by Wichita State on Dec. 19-20. The Cats defeated Eastern Illinois and WSU to win their ninth tournament title in the ’90’s.

The last time UC and Kentucky met was on Jan. 17, 1995. The Wildcats defeated the Bearcats 52-49 in Cincinnati. In the all-time series, UK holds a 15-3 record, winning the last two consecutive meetings. The Cats are 10-0 when playing the Bearcats in Memorial Coliseum.

Leading UC this season is junior Madinah Slaise. The 5-10 guard averages 16.1 points and 4.0 rebounds. Also averaging in double digits for the Bearcats are senior forwards Doris Scott (13.0 ppg) and Tanya Kirk (12.6 ppg). Scott also serves as the team’s leading rebounder, pulling down 6.5 rebounds per game.

Entering her 13th season as the coach of the Bearcats is Laurie Pirtle. She led her team to a 21-9 mark last season, 10-6 in the Conference USA. Pirtle holds a 142-195 overall record at Cincinnati.

The Bearcats are currently 7-3 having dropped to Indiana, Michigan and Louisville. For the Wildcats, senior Jaye Barnes has proven to be the consistent leader. The 6-1 forward leads UK in scoring with 14.5 points and is second in rebounding, averaging 5.9 rebounds per game. Barnes also ranks secondin the Southeastern Conference in field goal percentage, shooting 62.3 percent from the floor.

Following Monday’s game the Wildcats begin their tough SEC play when they play host to No. 13 Florida on Sunday, Jan. 3 at 1 p.m. The game will be televised live on Florida’s Sunshine Network.