BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The University of Kentucky women’sbasketball team defeated No. 19 ranked Western Kentucky for the secondstraight season on Monday in overtime 66-64. UK, down by two at the half(21-19), rallied behind its strong defensive effort to defeat Western in the15th annual Bowling Green Bank Classic in Bowling Green, Ky.

The Wildcats led by two (60-58) with 12 seconds remaining in regulationplay when Lady Topper Leslie Johnson netted two of her 28 points with twoseconds on the clock to tie the game at 60. Forward Jaye Barnes thenresponded with a layup in overtime to push the Wildcats up by two (62-60)before fouling out at the three minute mark. Freshman guard LauraMeadows, nailed one of four three-pointers in overtime play, to push UK upby three as Western battled back within one point (65-64). With sevenseconds remaining on the clock, forward Vonda Jackson sank one of twofree throws to clinch the victory, snapping WKU’s six-game winning streak.

The last time the Lady Toppers lost in the Bowling Green Bank Classic wasin 1985 against Oklahoma 89-81. Before tonight, Kentucky (4-4) had notbeaten Western (8-2) in Diddle Arena since 1991 when the Wildcats pulledout a one point victory 67-66.

“I am very proud of our team,” coach Bernadette Mattox said. “We playedgreat defense, got on the glass with Western and came out victorious in theend. That’s what it’s all about.”

Barnes led the Wildcats for the third consecutive game with 22 points andMeadows followed with 18 points. Center Kim Denkins added 11 points inthe winning effort and all three Wildcats grabbed 10 rebounds a piece.

“Beating a team that’s ranked really helps boost our confidence,” Meadowssaid. “Especially since we begin Southeastern Conference play on Sunday.”

Kentucky will host the Tigers of Auburn University (5-0) on Sunday, Dec.14 at 1 p.m. in Memorial Coliseum before traveling to Miami of Ohio onSaturday, Dec. 20 at 2 p.m.