Jan. 15, 2003
Lexington, Ky. – The Kentucky women’s basketball team will take on No. 2/3-ranked LSU in the first of two conference road games against ranked opponents this week. The Cats and the Lady Tigers will tip off at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on Thursday, Jan. 16 at 8 p.m. ET in Baton Rouge, La. UK will travel to Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday, Jan. 19 to take on 14th-ranked Vanderbilt.
The Wildcats (8-5, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) are looking for their first road win while the Lady Tigers (14-0, 2-0 SEC) are riding a 12-game win streak in the PMAC, including an 8-0 mark this season.
“It’s always tough to play on the road, especially when you are playing a team like LSU,” UK Coach Bernadette Mattox said. “LSU is a pressing, high-energy team. They are very athletic and we can’t have silly turnovers. We have to take care of the basketball and come out of the gate with intensity. We can’t get behind on a team like LSU.”
LSU is ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press Poll and No. 3 in this week’s USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll. UK’s last win over a top-five opponent was Jan. 6, 2000 over No. 5 Auburn, 71-69.The two teams are meeting for the 25th time in school history. LSU leads the all-time series 17-7, including a 6-2 advantage in Baton Rouge. UK’s last win in the PMAC was a 63-49 win in 1995.
The Cats captured a win in their conference opener on Sunday with a 59-55 victory over Alabama. Senior Rita Adams knocked down four three-pointers in the second half to lead UK in scoring with 16 points. Junior SeSe Helm charted her seventh career and second season double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds against the Tide.
Adams leads four Wildcats in double-figure scoring, averaging 14.6 points a game. Sara Potts follows with 12.4 ppg while Jenny Pfeiffer and Helm are each dropping in 10.9 ppg.
LSU is led by freshman Seimone Augustus with 14.7 points per game. Senior center Aiysha Smith follows with 11.4 ppg. Senior forward Detrina White is the team’s leading rebounder, grabbing 8.3 boards a game. LSU Coach Sue Gunter’s next victory will be her 400th at LSU. She has compiled a 399-209 record in 21 years with the Lady Tigers.
