Feb. 20, 2003
Lexington, Ky. – Senior Rita Adams came back from a two-game absence to lead the Kentucky women’s basketball team to a 49-47 victory Thursday over the Florida Gators in Memorial Coliseum, snapping a six-game losing streak.
Adams, who had a team-high 13 points, made a three-pointer with 1:21 left in the game to give the Wildcats a 49-45 lead.
Florida drew within 49-47 and had possession with a chance to tie or go ahead, but Kentucky’s Danyelle Payne stole the ball from Florida guard Tishona Gregory with 13 seconds left to prevent the Gators from attempting a shot.
The win was UK’s third in the Southeastern Conference as it improves to 10-13, 3-8. Adams, a senior from East St. Louis, Ill., missed the Cats’ last two games because of a death in the family, the first two games she has missed in four seasons. She had played in 85 straight until then. Florida fell to 8-16, 0-11.
“We have really worked hard up to this point to get this win,” UK Coach Bernadette Mattox said. “We have been in several tight games this season and we finally learned how to win one. We had key people step up and make plays. It wasn’t pretty, but a win is a win.”The Cats exploded in the second half after falling behind by two at the half, 20-18. Sara Potts’ three-pointer on UK’s first possession gave the Cats their first lead, 21-20, since the 6:51 mark in the first half.
UK improved on its 27 percent shooting in the first half, going on a 14-4 run to open up an eight-point lead, 32-24, with 14:35 left in the game. The Cats eventually led by nine after a SeSe Helm basket with 4:35 remaining, but the Gators rallied, taking the lead 45-44 with 2:59 to go on a three-pointer by Tamia Williams.
Payne’s jumper put the Cats back in front, then Adams hit her clutch three-pointer with 1:21 left for a 49-45 advantage.
Adams, who also had three steals, was the only Wildcat in double figures, but Payne added seven and Sara Potts had six as eight different players scored for Kentucky.
“Danyelle was a major factor tonight,” Mattox said. “She’s been getting minutes in Rita’s absence and she made some big plays for us.”
Neither team shot the ball well. UK finished at 33.9 percent, while Florida shot 31.3 percent.
The Gators were led by center Vanessa Hayden, who had 15 points and 17 rebounds.UK snapped a two-game losing streak to the Gators and a four-game losing skid to Florida in Memorial. UF leads 17-15 in the all-time series but the Cats edge the series in Lexington, 8-7.
The Cats tip it off next this Sunday, as they travel to Tuscaloosa, Ala., to face the Crimson Tide of Alabama. UK will face UA for the second time this season, having won 59-55 earlier this season in Lexington. Game time is 3 p.m., ET, with Chris Cross calling the game live on WLXG Sports Radio 1300.
