Nov. 22, 2002

Lexington, KY –

Southern Illinois Radio Broadcast

The University of Kentucky women’s basketball team begins its 29th season against Southern Illinois in its home opener on Monday, Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. in Memorial Coliseum. Tickets can be purchased on UK’s website at ukathletics.com or by calling the UK ticket office at 859-257-1818. Admission is free for UK students, faculty and staff.

Seven letterwinners, including four starters, return for the Wildcats. Newcomers Racquel Ellis, Jennifer Goin, Kristen Grassi, Stephanie Stumbo, Jennifer Humphrey and Jenny Pfeiffer make their official debut after looking impressive in UK’s two exhibition games. UK defeated Hungary 87-50 and finished off Premier All-Stars 89-70.

“It’s been a good week of practice and the team is just ready to play,” UK Coach Bernadette Mattox said. “I saw a lot of positive things in our exhibition games and I look for this game to be a good test for us before we head to Seattle on Wednesday.”

The Salukis, of Carbondale, Ill., travel to the Bluegrass State after falling to DePaul in their home opener on Saturday. In exhibition play, SIU easily handled both opponents, Hungary (81-63) and St. Louis Goldstar (80-73).

SIU is led by Lori Opp who enters her third season at the helm. Opp has charted an overall record of 13-42 since taking over the program in 2000-01. Opp’s team consists of three returning starters from a squad that finished 6-21, 2-16 in the Missouri Valley Conference last season.

The Cats are 21-7 in season openers, including wins in the last four. UK is 17-2 when opening the season in Memorial Coliseum. Kentucky and Southern Illinois meet for only the third time in school history with UK leading the all-time series 2-0. The Cats and Salukis last met in 1985.

Special Note: UK women’s basketball schedule magnets will be given away to all Wildcat fans. Danyelle Payne is the featured “Player of the Game” and will be signing autographs for 30 minutes following the game.