Dec. 26, 2001

Lexington, Ky. – The University of Kentucky women’s basketball team will travel to Hanover, N.H., this weekend to participate in the Blue Sky Restaurant Group Classic with Lafayette, Southern Mississippi and host Dartmouth.

UK, who won the Dartmouth Tournament in 1997, will meet first-time opponent Southern Mississippi at 6 p.m. ET on Friday, Dec. 28 in the first round, followed by Dartmouth and Lafayette at approximately 8 p.m. ET. The consolation game will begin at 6 p.m., ET on Saturday, Dec. 29. The championship game is scheduled to start at approximately 8 p.m., ET.

The Cats won the Citizen’s Bank Dartmouth Classic in 1997 by defeating UMass in the first round, 57-51, before pounding Northeastern in the championship game, 76-39.

“We are excited about returning to Dartmouth,” UK Coach Bernadette Mattox said. “This tournament will give our players the opportunity to play against quality opponents that we don’t normally see. It will also help us prepare for our conference schedule that begins on Jan. 3.”

Sophomore center SeSe Helm leads three Wildcats in double figure scoring, averaging a team-high 16.6 points per game. Junior guard Adams and freshman guard Sara Potts follow with 11.5 and 10.1 ppg, respectively.

UK’s first round opponent Southern Mississippi is 6-5 overall after defeating Jackson State, 53-46, and Hampton, 55-53, last week. Senior forward Victoria Mason leads the team in scoring, averaging 10.6 points per game. The leading rebounder is 6-5 center Sonja Brown with 9.0 boards per game. Brown grabbed 15 and 13 boards, respectively in the Lady Eagles’ last two games. The Cats and the Golden Eagles have never met.

The tournament games will be carried live on WLXG Sports Radio 1300 with Chris Cross.