Women’s Basketball wins battle of boards, 45-42
Auburn, Ala. (December 6, 1998) — The University of Kentuckywomen’s basketball team recorded its firstSoutheastern Conference win of the season,defeating Auburn, 68-62, on Sunday.
The Cats (6-1, 1-0) took a 30-24 lead at the halfwith the inside-outside threat of forward JayeBarnes and guard Erica Jackson.
Jackson was perfect from the field in the first half, going 3-of-3 from fieldgoal range and 2-2 from three-point land.
Barnes was 3-of-6 from the floor and a perfect 4-of-4 from the charitystripe.
Auburn (5-1, 0-1), came out strong in the second half, tying the score at 37with 12 minutes remaining in the game. Kentucky answered, however,charting eight straight points to take the lead 47-39 with 9:45 to go.Kentucky’s defense and hitting 11 free throws sealed the Wildcats firstleague win.
“I felt we played a very good defensive game today,” UK Coach BernadetteMattox said. “We gave them way too many offensive rebounds, but that justshows you the SEC. SEC teams like Auburn play with a lot of heart and I’mproud to come out on top.”
UK won the battle of the boards, 45-42, and shot 40.4 percent from thefield. Barnes led Kentucky with her first season double-double, charting 16points and a career-high 11 rebounds.
Also netting double figures was Jackson with 15 points and guard LauraMeadows with 13 points and three assists. Leading scorers for Auburn wereConswella Sparrow with 17 and Tasha Hamilton and Tiffany Krantz with 12apiece.
UK will return to Lexington to play host to Miami, Ohio on Wednesday,Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. The Cats will not face another SEC opponent until Jan. 3when they meet Florida at home.
