Dec. 11, 1999
LYNCHBURG, VA. — The University of Kentucky women?s basketball team won its third straight game, defeating Liberty 69-57 in the Vines Center.
The Wildcats (5-2) were led by senior Erica Jackson who netted a season-high 22 points. Senior Shantia Owens also added to the Kentucky fire, charting her first season and third career double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore forward LaTonya McDole rounded out the attack with 14 points and five steals. UK outrebounded Liberty 41-24 and scored 46 points in the paint compared to the Lady Flames? 28.
?I?m very proud our team and the way they hung in there against a very tough squad. Liberty showed tonight why they are conference champions.? UK Coach Bernadette Mattox said. ?I?m proud of our defensive effort. I?ve been telling them all season to take chances on defense and they did that tonight and it paid off.?
UK?s defense held the Lady Flames (4-4) scoreless until the 14-minute mark to start the game, jumping ahead 7-0. The Wildcats then took a 30-19 at the half with the help of Jackson?s seven points, including two three-pointers. UK shot 50 percent in the first half compared to Liberty?s 25 percent.
In the second half, Liberty came out on fire to pull within four points, 34-30, with 15:55 remaining in the game. The Cats remained composed and went on a 14-0 run to push back to a 17-point lead (51-34). The Lady Flames would attempt one final run with two minutes to go, closing the gap to seven points, 61-54. UK nailed 6-of-10 from the free throw line in the final seconds to seal the win.
UK is now 1-1 all-time versus the Lady Flames after falling, 80-76, last season in Lexington.
The Cats will face No. 18/No. 16 Purdue on Dec. 18 in Indianapolis, Ind. UK and the defending national champions will play in the first collegiate game in the Pacer?s new Conseco Fieldhouse at 4:30 p.m. followed by the Boilermaker men?s team versus Ball State.
