Last second layup sinks the Wildcats.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (Jan. 27, 2000) — Alabama’s Taquilla Allenhit a layup with one second remaining to defeatKentucky 68-67 in Coleman Coliseum. EricaJackson scored 13 second half points to lead theWildcats with 17 points.
Kentucky (11-8, 3-4) led by two points with :15.6second to go in the second half after a 10-footjumper by Laura Meadows. Alabama’s LaNishaCartwell hit the front end of the bonus with sevenseconds remaining to pull the game within one,67-66. Meadows rebounded the ball, but lost it outof bounds underneath Alabama’s basket. The Tidethrew a short inbounds pass to Boo Barnes whopassed to Allen for the game winning shot.
“This is still a great basketball team,” UK CoachBernadette Mattox. “Rebounding hurt us, obviously,and it showed that we need to have Shantia Owensin the game. Erica Jackson also stepped up for usand I’m very proud of her. I’m still very proud ofthis team.”
Owens, who charted 11 points and sevenrebounds, fouled out of the game with four minutesto go. The Cats are now 0-3 when Owens fouls outof the game.
Meadows added 16 points in the Cats’ effort whileLaTonya McDole and Tiffany Wait followed with11 points apiece.
Although the Cats shot 52.8 percent from the floorcompared to Alabama’s 35.8 percent, therebounding woes continued. Alabama (12-6, 2-3)won the battle of the boards, outrebounding Kentucky 45-32. UK has yet tooutrebound a SEC opponent.
“Ball security is real important,” Alabama Coach Rick Moody said. “Weended up turning the ball over 17 times, and I think that was about the firsttime all year we’ve had less turnovers than our opponents.”
In the first half UK struggled offensively, but finally connected late in the half,taking a 35-32 lead at intermission. Meadows led with eight points whileOwens added seven.
The Wildcats have not defeated Bama since a 74-58 win in 1990.
Kentucky will return to action on Sunday, Jan. 30 when it faces No. 4Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn., at 2 p.m. The Cats met the Lady Vols lastSunday in Lexington, dropping 71-65 despite a 20-point deficit in the firsthalf. The game will be televised live on Comcast Sports Southeast.
