Wildcats down Eastern Illinois, 90-71.

WICHITA, Kan. (December 19, 1998) — Three Wildcats scoredin double figures to give the Kentuckywomen’s basketball team a 90-71 victoryover Eastern Illinois in the first round of the18th Annual Pizza Hut Shocker Shootout inWichita, Kan., on Saturday.

Senior Jaye Barnes led UK to its eighthvictory of the season with 18 points while juniors Shantia Owens and TiffanyWait added 16 and 15 respectively. UK also won the battle of the boards,outrebounding the Panthers with a season-high 58 rebounds. EIU grabbed27 rebounds. The Wildcats (8-2, 1-0) grabbed 25 offensive reboundscompared to Eastern Illinoisi seven. UK freshman Tanesha Seaton led allrebounders with a career high 10 boards.

The Panthers (1-6, 0-2) trailed by only six points with two minutes remainingin the first half but never came closer as Kentucky went on a 12-3 run totake a 43-28 halftime lead. The Cats took its biggest lead of the game withnine minutes remaining, going ahead 72-44. However, EIU’s Leah Aldrichwent on a scoring spree, scoring 20 of her game-high 28 points in the secondhalf. Also scoring double digits for the Panthers was guard Monica Bernatwith 14.

This marks the second time this season Kentucky will play in thechampionship game of a preseason tournament. The Cats defeated Louisvilleand Hawaii to face No.8 UCLA in the championships of the RainbowWahine Classic earlier this year. Kentucky will meet host team Wichita State(6-1) in the championship game on Sunday, Dec. 20 at 5 p.m. EST.