Jan. 9, 2000

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky women’s basketball team will travel toGainesville, Fla. to take on the Lady Gators at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 10at UF’s O’Connell Center.

The Wildcats (9-4, 1-0 SEC) are coming off of a stunning upset over No. 5Auburn, 71-69, on Thursday. Florida (10-3, 1-0) enters Monday’s game aftera 91-67 loss at No. 6 Penn State on Saturday. The Gators had an upset oftheir own in their SEC opener on Thursday as they knocked off No. 20Mississippi State at home.

The Cats, looking for their third-straight victory, are riding the successof sophomore forward LaTonya McDole who has posted double-figure points inthe last five games. McDole is averaging a team-high 13.1 ppg and hit thegame-winning shot with four seconds remaining against Auburn.Monday’s game marks the 29th meeting between Florida and Kentucky. UF holdsa slight 15-13 lead in the all-time series, including a 6-5 advantage whenplaying in Gainesville.

“This will be a big game for us because we are facing one of theconference’s top teams on their home floor,” UK Coach Bernadette Mattoxsaid. “We need to crash the boards hard and play good team defense to shutdown their inside game.”These two teams split their home-and-home series last season with each teamwinning on the other’s home court. The Cats notched a 80-70 win inGainesville, while the Gators took a 77-63 win in Lexington.