Box Score
Malibu, Calif.- Freshman SeSe Helm went 8-of-11 and a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throwline to record a career-high 22 points in Kentuckys 78-77 heartbreaking loss to Houston in theconsolation round of the Pepperdine Classic on Sunday. Junior forward LaTonya McDole wasnamed to the All-Tournament team after charting a total of 27 points and 10 rebounds in thetwo-game event.
After trailing 42-29 at the half and down 17 points (54-37) with 15 minutes to go in the game,the Cats (1-2) clawed their way back using pressure defense and a full court press. UK tiedthe game for the first time since the opening tip on a free-throw by Helm with 5:42 to go. TheCats biggest lead of the game, 74-69, came after a three-pointer by sophomore Rita Adams(East St. Louis, Ill.) and four points by McDole.
Houston (2-2) battled back with a field goal of its own seconds later before freshman StephanieStoglin nailed four of her 18 points to push the Cats lead back to five, 76-71, with 2:38remaining. The Cougars tied the game for the third time in the second half on two free throwsby leading scorer Cathy Lida with 1:16 left in the game. Stoglin was then whistled for her fifthfoul, followed by McDoles third foul, with only three seconds left on the clock. Lida, whofinished the day with a game-high 21 points, converted the front end of the bonus to put theCougars up by one, 78-77. The Cats last inbounds play was intercepted at the buzzer.”I couldnt be more pleased with my team tonight,” UK Coach Bernadette Mattox said. “Weabsolutely grew up and I watched them mature in front of my eyes. We were put in somepressure situations and they showed the poise Ive been talking to them about in practice.”
Kentuckys shooting percentage greatly improved from its subpar performance versus Missouriin the first round on Saturday. The Cats shot an impressive 48 percent compared to its 29percent yesterday. UK also nailed 13-of-18 from the free throw line in the second half for a 68percent mark.
Freshman forward Alvine Mendeng (Dayton, Ohio) again led the Cats in rebounding with acareer-high eight boards. Adams finished the game with 12 points, all of which came in thesecond half.
McDole, UKs only returning starter from last season, (Dayton, Ohio) scored the first basket ofthe game with only six seconds off the clock when she fell to the floor with an ankle injury. Shereturned late in the first half and went on to record 15 points in the Wildcat effort. Herall-tournament team honor marks her first in three seasons.”There was a possibility that I wouldnt be able to come back to the game, but when I lookedup and saw the score I knew I had to get back out there,” McDole said. “My ankle was a littlesore, but I had to play for the team.”
The Cats will be back in action on Wednesday, Nov. 29 versus Indiana University- PurdueUniversity Indianapolis (IUPUI) at 7 p.m. in Memorial Coliseum.
