March 6, 2003
By CHUCK BARTELS
Associated Press Writer
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Tia Miller scored 11 of her 19 points in thesecond half as Auburn pushed away Kentucky for a 68-62 victory Thursday in thefirst round of the Southeastern Conference Women’s Tournament.
The second half began tied 33-33, and Auburn spent the next 10 minutesbuilding a 52-40 advantage. The lead was 65-48 with 3:39 to play, and Auburngot there with more aggressive defense and hot shooting inside plus a couple of3s. The Tigers forced ill-chosen shots by the Wildcats.
But Kentucky was able to close the deficit to six points near the end.
Rita Adams made a 3 at the 1:44 mark, and SeSe Helm followed with a 3 with58 seconds to go, closing Kentucky to less than a 10-point deficit at 65-57.Adams moved to her left, far clear of any defense for a layup for 65-59 at te36-second mark. Helm added a 3 for the game’s last basket after Nancy Derrickmade three free throws in two trips to the line.
Helm finished with 18 points to lead the Wildcats. Miller had a game-highnine rebounds.
Natasha Brackett scored 14 points for Kentucky, and La’Coe Willingham added12 points and a steadying presence. She’d been out since dislocating a shoulderon Feb. 27 against Alabama.
Auburn advances to face No. 3 Tennessee in Friday’s second round.
Sara Potts followed her 12 first-half points for Kentucky with a singlesecond-half basket- a 3 with 2:15 to play for 65-51.
Potts was 4 of 6 from the field in the first half, with all of her shotscoming from long range. Her 3 with 1:40 to go in the period regained the leadfor Kentucky at 33-32. A free throw by Brackett with 58 seconds to go tied itat 33-33 to end the half.
Kentucky could never build a lead greater than five points, and Auburn wasable to put together a modest 12-7 run over the last 5:30 of the half for thetie.
