Jan. 26, 2000

LEXINGTON, Kty. – The University of Kentucky women’s basketball team travels toTuscaloosa, Ala., on Thursday, Jan. 27 to take on Alabama at 8 p.m. ETin Coleman Coliseum. The game will be televised live on Fox Sports NetSouth with Van Chancellor and Ron Thulin. FSNS is not available inLexington.

The Wildcats (11-7, 3-3) went 1-2 in three straight home gameslast week, defeating Arkansas and falling to nationally-ranked LSU (No.14) and Tennessee (No. 2). Despite trailing by as many as 20 pointsversus the Lady Vols on Sunday, the Cats clawed back within two pointswith :12 seconds remaining. Sophomore LaTonya McDole led the Cats with18 points while senior Erica Jackson led the comeback charge with all 11of her points coming in the second half.

Like Kentucky, Alabama has charted just one win in its last fourgames. The Tide (11-6, 1-3) fell to Mississippi State on Sunday at home(85-65), after pulling out a two-point win over Ole Miss for its firstSEC victory.

“In this conference every team is competitive and you have to beready to play,” UK Coach Bernadette Mattox said. “Alabama is a verygood team and they are well coached. They’ve brought in new personnelthis season after returning only two starters. Like us, they will belooking at this game to gain some confidence heading into February.”

Kentucky returns all five starters from last year’s squad thatupset nationally-ranked Alabama in Lexington. The win marked UK’s firstwin over Bama in six years. The trip to Tuscaloosa might prove to be abit tougher as Kentucky hasn’t won in Coleman Coliseum in 10 years. Thelast time UK defeated Bama on the road was Feb. 17, 1990.

“It’s always tough playing on the road,” Mattox said. “We haveto stay focused on our game and take care of the little things. Therest will fall into place.”

Kentucky is 1-1 on the road against SEC teams this season. TheCats defeated Florida 72-58 on Jan. 10 and lost in overtime toVanderbilt 60-55 just three days later.