Jan. 10, 2010

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Team Records and Series Notes

• Kentucky improves to 13-2, 1-1 SEC, while Vanderbilt slips to 12-4, 0-2 SEC.
• Kentucky records its first win over a ranked opponent since a 66-56 win against No. 13/19 Tennessee at Memorial Coliseum on Feb. 19, 2009.
• The victory snaps a 13-game losing streak to the Commodores dating back to 1999.
• Kentucky has won 11 consecutive home games dating back to last season. The Wildcats own a 320-138 all-time mark at storied Memorial Coliseum.
• Today’s attendance (5,976) was the second highest of the season.
• Kentucky’s record against ranked opponents moves to 1-1 this season, having suffered a 61-60 overtime loss at No. 8 Georgia on Thursday.
• Kentucky trails the all-time series with Vanderbilt 26-13, including a 10-8 advantage in Lexington.
• UK Coach Matthew Mitchell’s career mark moves to 76-63, including a 46-34 record at Kentucky. Mitchell is 1-2 all-time against Vanderbilt.
• UK owns a 588-449 all-time record in 36 years of varsity women’s basketball. Kentucky is 44-184 all-time in SEC play.
• Up next: Kentucky travels to Columbia, S.C., to battle South Carolina Thursday, Jan. 14. Game time at the Colonial Life Arena is set for 7 p.m. EST.

Team Game Notes

• Key Run: After falling behind 41-31 with 12:29 remaining in the second half, Kentucky went on 16-5 run sparked by nine points from Amber Smith. The junior banked in a long-range three-pointer just before the shot clock expired to pull Kentucky within 43-41 at 9:26. She hit a jumper in the paint to get UK within 46-45 at 7:54 before giving the Wildcats the lead for good with a fast-break layup with 7:10 to go for a 47-46 advantage. Smith scored 15 or her career-high 20 points in the final 12:29 of the game, sparking Kentucky on a 32-12 run after trailing by 10 points.
• Kentucky recorded its biggest come-from-behind victory of the season, rallying from a pair of 10-point second-half deficits (35-25 at 16:19 and 39-29 at 13:29) against Vanderbilt. UK rallied from a nine-point deficit to Chattanooga (11/22/09) in claiming a 65-55 win.
• UK held Vanderbilt to a season-low 53 points. The Commodores’ previous low came in a 59-45 win at St. Joseph’s on Nov. 24, 2009.
• Kentucky forced Vanderbilt into a season-high 26 turnovers for the game. UK has frustrated foes into 20 or more miscues in 13 of 15 contests this season. It marks the 10 th time in 15 games this season UK has forced 25 or more turnovers in a game.
• Kentucky has recorded double-digit steal totals in each of the last 11 games and 12 times this season. The Wildcats grabbed 14 steals against Vanderbilt.
• Kentucky hit three three-pointers against Vanderbilt and has now hit at least one three-pointer in 202 consecutive games, dating back to 2003-04.
• Victoria Dunlap , Amber Smith , Amani Franklin , Carly Morrow , and A’dia Mathies started the game. It marked the 14th time in 15 games the group took the floor first for the Wildcats.
• Kentucky moves to 2-2 this season in games decided by 10 points or less. UK is 23-21 during the Mitchell era in games decided by 10 points or less.
• UK won the rebounding battle, 41-40. It marked the first time in four games the Cats have outrebounded their opponent.

Individual Game Notes

• Junior point guard Amber Smith scored 17 of her game- and career-high 20 points in the second half to lead the UK comeback. Smith made 6-of-14 attempts from the field, including 2-of-3 three-point attempts to go along with a season-high seven rebounds.  She has reached double figures in scoring in eight games this season. Smith scored 15 of 20 points after UK fell behind 41-31 at the 12:29 mark of the second half.
• Senior guard Amani Franklin charted her sixth career double-double, including her second this season by scoring 11 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. She has pulled down 10 or more rebounds in four games this season. She is averaging 7.4 rebounds over her last 10 games.
• Junior forward Victoria Dunlap scored 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting from the field, including 4-of-6 from the foul line.  She also swiped three steals against the Commodores. Dunlap has scored in double figures in 20 consecutive games. She has recorded at least one steal in 22 consecutive games. Dunlap has swiped three or more steals in each of her last 10 games.
• Freshman A’dia Mathies added six points, a game-high five steals and a career-high eight rebounds. She has pulled down at least four rebounds in 11 of 15 games this season.
• Sophomore guard Rebecca Gray did not see action for Kentucky for the second consecutive game due to the stomach flu.