Lexington, Ky. – The University of Kentucky women’s basketball team notched its second straight exhibition win in Memorial Coliseum with a 92-75 triumph over the Premier All-Stars on Friday, Nov. 10.
Again, five Wildcats scored in double-digits this time led by freshman guard Dasieka Hawthorne (Gulfport, Miss.) with 17 points.
Also charting double figures were freshmen SeSe Helm (Bowling Green, Ky.) and sophomore Rita Adams (East St. Louis, Ill.) with16 points apiece. Freshman Alvine Mendeng (Dayton, Ohio) added 15 and junior LaTonya McDole (Dayton, Ohio) poured in 12. Adams also recorded a game-high seven assists.
“Dasieka is coming into her own more and is beginning to mature,” UK Coach Bernadette Mattox said. “Alvine also came out ofthe gate tonight ready to play and showed a lot of heart. I am also pleased with LaTonya and Rita. Both players were solid tonightand played good defense with a lot of hustle.”
Starting four freshmen, the Cats jumped out to a 6-0 lead less than two minutes into the game when Mendeng hit her first two shotsand McDole knocked down her first attempt of the night.UK, which went 2-0 in exhibition play, played intense defense throughout the first half forcing the All-Stars into 15 turnovers, asMcDole collected three steals. She ended the night with a game-high six steals. Although Premier hit 46.4 percent from the field inthe opening stanza, it was only able to put up 28 shots. The Cats also limited the All-Stars to four offensive rebounds in the half, whilegathering 13 defensive boards.
Kentucky was no slouch on the offensive end either. The Cats hit 45.2 percent from the field and 81.8 percent from the charitystripe, gradually expanding their lead to 20 points with just under a minute to play before the half.
Hawthorne and Helm had 10 first-half points each, while Mendeng chipped in nine. McDole tallied seven of her own to help give UKa 48-30 halftime advantage.
The second stanza was not much different with UK holding a steady double-digit lead, getting its biggest margin of 24 with just underfive minutes remaining.
“Offensively, we were capable of doing a lot more than our last game,” Mattox said. “However, we need to get the ball in SeSe’shands more and that will allow us to do more damage.”
On the night, UK outrebounded the All-Stars 41-38, with a 19-10 advantage on the offensive glass. The Cats also forced a total of27 turnovers for 18 points. McDole and Mendeng led the Cats in rebounding with eight boards each.
The All-Stars were led by former Ohio State player Joni O’Connell with 21 points and seven rebounds.
UK will open regular season play on Tuesday, Nov. 21 versus Miami Ohio in Memorial Coliseum. For ticket information call859-257-9723.
