Cats look to continue surge

By Special to the Herald-Leader

Posted: 12:00am on Jan 1, 2009; Modified: 6:30am on Jan 1, 2009

  • Thursday

    North Carolina A&T (6-4) at Kentucky (8-5)

    When: 7 p.m.

    Where: Memorial Coliseum

    Series: UK leads 1-0

    Last meeting: UK won 71-40 on Dec. 6, 2005 in Lexington

    Radio: WLAP-AM 630

  • Matchups

    KENTUCKY

    Probable starters — Amber Smith, 5-5, So., G (7.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg); Carly Morrow, 5-11, So. G (8.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg); Amani Franklin, 5-11, Jr., G (10.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg); Victoria Dunlap, 6-1, So., F (11.9 ppg, 7.6 rpg); Eleia Roddy, 6-3, Sr., C (11.5 ppg, 9.1).

    Top reserves — Brittany Edelen, 5-9, Jr., G (3.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg); Catina Bett, 6-5, So., C (2.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg).

    North Carolina A&T

    Probable starters — Ta'Wuana Cook, 5-8, Jr., G (13.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg); Tierra Thomas, 5-10, Fr., G (4.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg); Amber Bland, 5-11, Sr., G (14.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg); Lamona Smalley, 6-0, Jr., F (7.7 ppg, 7.6 rpg); Nakia Deblanc, 6-2, Fr., C (5.3 ppg, 2.2 rpg).

    Top reserves — Brittany Taylor-James, 6-0, Sr., F (17.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg); Reisha Bullock, 5-9, Jr., G (5.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg); Shantar Waddell, 6-1, Jr., F (2.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg).

The Kentucky women have a short amount of time to celebrate what their coach called one of their most complete games of the season.

Just 48 hours off of an 82-60 win over IUPUI on Tuesday, the Kentucky women's basketball team will face North Carolina A&T on Thursday night at Memorial Coliseum.

The Wildcats (8-5) are riding a three-game winning streak after wins over Alabama A&M, UC Santa Barbara and IUPUI. Thursday's game marks the final non-conference home game for the Cats this season.

"We face another team that is athletic, well-coached and one that has been playing well this season," UK Coach Matthew Mitchell said. "I was pleased with how we performed Tuesday night, and we need that same intensity in practice and in our game on Thursday. We have another tough stretch where we are playing three games in five days, but if we continue playing with confidence and poise we will head into conference play on a high note."

Three players are averaging double-figure scoring for the Aggies as well, led by senior Brittany Taylor-James' 17.2 points per game.

Senior guard Amber Bland and junior guard Ta'Wuana Cook follow with 14.6 and 13.6 ppg, respectively.

UK finished the 2008 portion of their schedule with an 8-5 record, including a 6-2 mark at home. That's an improvement from last year's 5-7 start and 3-3 home record.

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