Wildcats will look for revenge against No. 4 Tennessee
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 29, 2000) — The University of Kentuckywomen’s basketball team travels to Knoxville,Tenn., on Super Bowl Sunday to face No. 4Tennessee in Thompson-Boling Arena. Game timeis slated for 3 p.m. and will be televised onComcast Sports Southeast. CSS is not available inLexington. WLXG-AM Sports Radio 1300 willprovide the radio broadcast.
Exactly one week ago, the Wildcats nearly pulledan upset over the Lady Vols in a packed MemorialColiseum. UT jumped to an early 21-point leadbefore Kentucky rallied back in the second half topull within two with only two minutes remaining.The Lady Vols nailed crucial free throws in the endto seal the win, 71-65. Sophomore forwardLaTonya McDole led the Cats in scoring with 18points while senior guard Erica Jackson and juniorforward Laura Meadows followed with 11 and 10points, respectively. All 11 of Jackson’s pointswhere scored in the second half.
The Cats (11-8, 3-4) enter Sunday’s game riding athree-game losing streak after a heartbreaking68-67 loss to Alabama on Thursday. Tennessee(14-3, 4-1) enters Sunday’s game after facing No.8 N.C. State on Saturday night in Cleveland, Ohio.
“The only thing positive about playing Kentucky lessthan 24 hours after playing N.C. State is that wejust played them,” UT Coach Pat Summitt said.”We are familiar with them and they are familiarwith us.”
UT holds a 17-game win streak over UK. TheWildcats have not beaten the Lady Vols in 14years, since a 92-86 win in Lexington, Jan. 24,1986. The Cats are 2-12 when playing in Knoxville. The last time UK cameaway with a win against the Lady Vols in the Volunteer state was Jan. 23,1985. The Cats won 76-72 in overtime.
“Like every game in the SEC, this game in important,” UK CoachBernadette Mattox said. “We aren’t hanging our heads after Alabama. Weare still a good basketball team. This SEC schedule is brutal and we have togo out every night and play as hard as we can. It’s difficult to play on theroad but that’s what make us a better team.”
Kentucky’s five starters are also the Cats’ top five scorers this season.Meadows and McDole lead the pack averaging 12.1 points per game.Jackson follows with 11.3 ppg while senior center Shantia Owens averages11.3 ppg. Senior guard Tiffany Wait follows in the scoring column with 9.1ppg.
Sophomore Tamika Catchings leads the way for the Lady Vols with 14.9points per game. Freshman Kara Lawson averages 14.3 ppg and not farbehind is junior Semeka Randall with 14.2 ppg.
