February 3, 1999

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Auburn Tigers, who blew a golden chance at second place in theSoutheastern Conference, hope to avoid becoming the latest upset victim ofimproving Kentucky.

The No. 19 Tigers (16-4, 6-3 SEC) led LSU by 13 points with five minutesremaining Sunday but could not hold on and lost 63-61 in overtime. Instead ofclaiming sole possession of the SEC’s second spot, Auburn slipped into a tiefor third with Georgia.

The loss was one of the low moments of what has been an otherwise-strongseason for the Tigers. They appear to be headed back to the NCAA Tournamentafter failing to qualify last season and their next conference victory willmark the first time they have won more than six SEC games in a season sincegoing 9-2 in 1992-93.

An even bigger turnaround is being made by Kentucky (14-7, 4-5). TheWildcats are tied with four other teams for fifth place heading intoThursday’s game.

Kentucky is coming off Sunday’s 74-69 loss to Arkansas that ended atwo-game winning streak. Those two wins were both surprises, as the Wildcats upsetAlabama before winning at Florida. The victories have Kentucky believing itcan compete in the SEC.

“There is no doubt we have gained confidence in our game with thosetwo big wins,” Kentucky coach Bernadette Mattox said.

The 14 wins are the most the Wildcats have earned in Mattox’s fourseasons and the most since they went 14-14 in the 1994-95 season. Kentucky has not wonmore than 14 games in a season since a 17-11 campaign in 1993-94.

The Wildcats stunned the Tigers, 68-62, in Auburn on Dec. 6. They havewon the last two meetings but still trail the series, 14-8.