December 6, 1998
Auburn, Ala.- The University ofKentucky women’s basketball team recorded its first SoutheasternConference win of the season, defeating Auburn, 68-62, on Sunday.
TheCats (6-1, 1-0) took a 30-24 lead at the half with the inside-outsidethreat of forward Jaye Barnes and guard Erica Jackson.
Jackson wasperfect from the field in the first half, going 3-of-3 from field goalrange and 2-2 from three-point land.
Barnes was 3-of-6 from thefloor and a perfect 4-of-4 from the charity stripe.
Auburn (5-1,0-1), came out strong in the second half, tying the score at 37 with 12minutes remaining in the game. Kentucky answered, however, chartingeight straight points to take the lead 47-39 with 9:45 to go. Kentucky’s defense and hitting 11 free throws sealed the Wildcats firstleague win.
“I felt we played a very good defensive game today,” UKCoach Bernadette Mattox said. “We gave them way too many offensiverebounds, but that just shows you the SEC. SEC teams like Auburn playwith a lot of heart and I’m proud to come out on top.”
UK won thebattle of the boards, 45-42, and shot 40.4 percent from the field. Barnes led Kentucky with her first season double-double, charting 16points and a career-high 11 rebounds.
Also netting double figureswas Jackson with 15 points and guard Laura Meadows with 13 points andthree assists. Leading scorers for Auburn were Conswella Sparrow with17 and Tasha Hamilton and Tiffany Krantz with 12 apiece.
UK willreturn to Lexington to play host to Miami, Ohio on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at7 p.m. The Cats will not face another SEC opponent until Jan. 3 whenthey meet Florida at home.
