LaTonya McDole’s last-second shot propels Wildcats to victory.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) (Jan. 6, 2000) — LaTonya McDole’srunning one-hander in the lane with four secondsremaining gave Kentucky a 71-69 upset of No. 5Auburn on Thursday night in the SoutheasternConference opener for both teams.
Despite playing in foul trouble most of the way,McDole finished with 21 points, while NatalieMartinez had all 16 of her points in the second halffor the Wildcats (9-4).
Tiffany Wait added 11 points for Kentucky.
Shana Askew led the Tigers (11-2) with 18 points,while LeCoe Willingham had 10.
Auburn had a chance for the win in the closingseconds, but Tiffany Krantz’s desperation shot from16 feet was off the mark as the Wildcats benchrushed the floor in celebration.
Kentucky had earlier losses to No. 1 Connecticutand No. 12 Purdue.
The Wildcats trailed most of the way, but stayedwithin sight of the lead and then rallied in the closingminutes.
Down 67-63, Martinez hit her fourth 3-pointer ofthe game from the top of the key with 2:04 left.McDole then stole the ball from Auburn’sConswella Sparrow as she brought it upcourt, goingin for the layup and a 68-67 lead with 1:46 left.
After Krantz hit two free throws to give Auburnback the lead, Kentucky missed a shot, with therebound going out of bounds to Auburn.
As Krantz brought the ball out, Erica Jackson stripped it and drove for thebasket, giving Krantz no choice but to foul.
Jackson made one of two free throws with 37 seconds left to tie the game at69.
With time running down, Auburn worked the ball underneath to Willingham,with Wait fouling to stop the easy layup. Willingham, however, missed bothfree throws before McDole scored the game-winner.
Kentucky lost starting center Shantia Owens to a sprained ankle with 17:09left in the first half. Tanisha Seaton came off the bench to replace Owens andtied Laura Meadows for the team high with eight rebounds.
