LaTonya McDole leads Wildcats with 12 points.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) (Jan. 30, 2000) — Kara Lawson isquickly making a successful transition to pointguard.
Lawson scored 22 points, tying a school recordwith six 3-pointers, to lead No. 4 Tennessee to a77-48 victory over Kentucky on Sunday.
“Kara certainly brings a lot of poise and confidenceto the position,” Tennessee coach Pat Summitt said.”She settles us down offensively. She complimentsthe other players. She ran the offense well today.”
Lawson, who tied Abby Conklin’s team recordagainst Texas Tech in 1996, scored 19 points in thefirst half as Tennessee (16-3, 5-1) rolled to a 47-27halftime lead.
“I’ve always been a scoring point guard,” she said.”I’m just fulfilling the role that I know. I’m not sure Iwould know how to play it any other way. ”
Kentucky (11-9, 3-5), led by LaTonya McDolewith 12 points, never got on track offensively andshot just 33 percent from the field.
Kentucky’s hopes of a second-half comeback werethwarted quickly, as Tennessee outscored theWildcats 14-4 in the first seven minutes. Lawsonand Tamika Catchings, who had 15 points and 15rebounds, each hit 3-pointers in the spurt.
Tennessee maintained a comfortable lead the rest ofthe way and led by as many 30 points in the secondhalf.
Lawson was virtually unstoppable in the first 10 minutes of the game, scoring16 of Tennessee’s first 23 points. She connected on five 3-pointers.
“I wasn’t surprised by her offense,” Kentucky coach Bernadette Mattox said.”The kid averaged 27 or 28 points in high school. She’s an outstandingshooter.”
