LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky women’s basketball teamfell to No. 1-ranked Tennessee 93-65 in Lexington on Sunday.
Despite shooting 48 percent from the field (24 of 50) and 61.5 percent (8 of13) from three-point land, the Wildcats (9-8, 2-4) could not handle the LadyVol’s (19-0, 6-0) defensive pressure that forced 28 UK turnovers. UTscored 34 points off UK turnovers as five Lady Vols posted double figurescoring. USA Basketball’s Player of the Year Chamique Holdsclaw led allscorers with 23 points, six rebounds and five assists. “People say that thisTennessee team is the best women’s basketball team put together maybeever,” UK Coach Bernadette Mattox said. “If that is so, then I’m proud ofhow our team stuck together and played hard.”
Kentucky came out strong in the first half in front of the largest crowd thisseason in Memorial Coliseum (5,330). The Wildcats trailed undefeatedTennessee by seven points with 10 minutes remaining in the first half, beforeUT went on a 15-0 run to pull the Lady Vols ahead by 18 points. “I’m alsoproud of the way our team came out,” Mattox said. “We had some troublewith their press, but we were not intimidated. Our players have played teamsin the Top 25 before, so they are used to it. That’s why players come andplay in the SEC, because you get the opportunity to play against the best.”
The Wildcats trailed 48-29 at the half and got no closer than 17 points in thesecond half against the defending national champions. Freshman guard LauraMeadows nailed four of five three pointers to lead three Wildcat players indouble figures with 15 points. Juniors Jaye Barnes and Tiffany Wait added12 and 10 points respectively. Sophomore guard Natalie Martinez led theteam in rebounding and assists with six apiece. UT controlled the boards,outrebounding Kentucky 37-29.
UK will return to action on Wednesday when the Wildcats take on Louisvilleat 5:30 p.m. in Freedom Hall. The UK men’s team will face Alabamaimmediately following the women’s game at 8 p.m.
