McDole scores a career-high 18 points in loss.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 4, 1999) — The University ofKentucky women’s basketball team dropped aheartbreaker to No. 21 Auburn, 68-67, on a lastsecond shot, to snap its three-game home winstreak in Memorial Coliseum.
Auburn’s Kris Bernath nailed a 10-foot jumper with less than a second onthe clock after freshman LaTonya McDole hit two free throws with :07seconds remaining to pull the Cats ahead by one, 67-66. The Wildcats(14-8, 4-6 SEC) trailed at halftime, 31-30, and got to the foul line only threetimes in the second half, making two. However, Kentucky came out on firein the second half, jumping to an 18-point, lead with 13:44 remaining in thegame.
Auburn made 15-of-17 free throws over the final 20 minutes to take thelead, 66-65, with :37.6 to go. Conswella Sparrow scored 16 points andBernath added 12 off the bench to rebound from an overtime loss to LSU onSunday.
“The free throw line is where we got taken down,” UK Coach BernadetteMattox said. “We have to learn that when we have a 19 point lead, we can’tlet down.”
The Tigers won the game at the foul line, making 22-of-27 compared to just9-of-15 for Kentucky. Sparrow was 4-of-8 from the field and made all eightfree throws, helping the Tigers (17-4, 8-3 SEC) pull into a tie for secondplace with LSU.
McDole scored a career-high 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting for theWildcats, who have dropped two in a row following a three-game winningstreak. Tiffany Wait added 15 points and Shantia Owens and Erica Jacksoneach had 11 for Kentucky, which shot just 40 percent (26-of-60). TashaHamilton added 11 points and Tiffany Krantz contributed 10 for Auburn,which shot 41 percent (22-of-54) from the field.
UK defeated Auburn earlier this season, 68-62, and held a three-game winstreak over the Tigers. Auburn’s win marks its first victory over the Cats inLexington since winning 60-59 on Feb. 2, 1997.
The Cats will return home on Sunday, Feb. 7 when they face No. 8 Georgiaat 2 p.m. UK will also celebrated Take A Kid To The Game Day. Childrenunder the age of 18 and accompanied by an adult are admitted free.Admission is $5 for adults. The first 100 children under the age of 12 willreceive free basketballs and the first 500 fans will receive UK women’sbasketball water bottles.
