Jan. 4, 2003
Lexington, Ky. – The “Battle of the Bluegrass” game between Kentucky and Louisville tips off for the 39th time in its 28-year history on Sunday, Jan. 5 at 2 p.m. in Louisville’s Freedom Hall. Tickets are only $5 for adults and children ages 18 and under get in free.
Both teams are riding win streaks and share identical records as Kentucky (7-4) increased its consecutive wins to five after rolling over Marshall on Thursday at Rupp Arena 75-42. It is UK’s longest win streak since winning five at the start of the 1998-99 season. The last time UK won five-plus games was in 1997-98 when it won seven. Louisville, who rides a four-game win streak, (7-4) upset No. 11/12 Vanderbilt on Thursday, 92-82, in Louisville.
“This game will definitely be exciting,” UK Coach Bernadette Mattox said. “I think both teams are playing with a lot of confidence right now and it will be a challenge for us to go into their hostile environment. We have to stay poised and come out with intensity. They play well at home.”
UK leads the all-time series 27-11 over Louisville and is 9-8 when playing in “The River City.” UK has won three of the last four meetings between the teams, including a 72-53 victory last season in Lexington. The series is the second-longest for the Cats. UK has met only Tennessee (42 times) more than the Cardinals.
In their last four games, the Wildcats have shot an impressive 53.1 percent from the floor, including a whopping 61.2 percent (30-49) from three-point land. Senior Rita Adams leads four starters in double digits with 14.2 points a game. Sara Potts, who shot a remarkable 100 percent from the field against Marshall (5-of-5, 4-of-4 treys) is the team’s second leading scorer with 13.3 points per game. Jenny Pfeiffer and SeSe Helm follow with 11.1 and 10.6 ppg, respectively. Freshman center Jennifer Humphrey narrowly misses averaging in double-figure points at 9.3 ppg.
Sara Nord led four Cardinals in double-figures with 25 points and seven assists in their win over Vandy. It was U of L’s first win over an Southeastern Conference opponent this season after falling to No. 2 LSU in December, 46-65. Auburn transfer Lori Nero leads the team in scoring and rebounding in her first season as a Cardinal. She is averaging 19.5 points and 9.0 rebounds a game. Nord and Amanda Wolke follow with 14.2 and 12.4 points per game, respectively.
Like the Cats, the Cards are 5-1 when at home this season. UK marks the fifth of six straight home games for Louisville. Louisville’s only loss at Freedom Hall this season came against UT-Chattanooga, 79-84. UK’s last win in Freedom Hall was a 69-56 victory on Jan. 20, 1999.
Coach Martin Clapp garnered his 100th win in his last game against the Commodores. He is 100-63 in his six-year career and is 2-4 against the Cats. Coach Mattox is 5-3 against the Cards.
The Louisville games marks the third of three-games-in-six-day stretch for the Cats. UK finally will have a short break before SEC play begins on Jan. 12 versus Alabama at 3 p.m. That game will be televised live on Fox Sport South and UK great Valerie Still’s jersey will be retired at halftime.
