Nov. 10, 1999

LEXINGTON, Kty. – The University of Kentucky women’s basketball team defeated EOSMalbas Sweden 83-75 in its first exhibition game of the season inMemorial Coliseum on Wednesday.

Four Wildcats scored in double figures as sophomore forwardLaTonya McDole led all scorers with 20. Seniors Erica Jackson andShantia Owens netted 16 and 15 points, respectively, and junior forwardLaura Meadows rounded out the scoring with 10 points and nine rebounds.

Defensively the Cats struggled early in the game watching a22-point lead dwindle to only five at the half (43-38). CoachBernadette Mattox hopes the Cats can take their first game and use it asa learning experience.

“You can’t go into any game without playing the absolute bestdefense you can play,” Mattox said. “But tonight that was a lesson welearned and that’s why we have exhibition games.”

UK outrebounded Sweden 44-35, including a 22-10 advantage on theoffensive boards.

“We hit the boards, but we could have had more. I felt wedidn’t block out enough and we were just waiting on the ball to comedown instead of going to get it. We have to do a better job of that,”Mattox said.

Leading the Sweden team was former Oregon State standout AnnetteMollerstrom. She scored 19 points while Josefin Fernebro added 17. TheSwedes fall to 0-4 in its eight-game tour of the United States.

UK will play host to its second exhibition game on Saturdaynight, Nov. 13, in Memorial Coliseum at 7 p.m. against Premier PlayersSelect. Admission is free.