Women's Basketball

January 6, 1999

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami women’s basketballteam (8-4, 3-2 BIG EAST) return home to face Western Kentucky (10-3)onThursday, Jan. 7 at 7 p.m. at the Knight Sports Complex on the UMcampus.

The Hurricanes are ridinga 17-game home winning streak, whichrates seventh-best in the country. Miami will look to reboundfrom a 68-54 BIG EAST Conference lossat No. 13 Rutgers on Jan. 5. The Hurricanes were leading Rutgerslatein the game, but two key technical fouls on UM propelled the ScarletKnights to the win.

In her return to the UMstarting line-up, Gina Graziani totaleda game-high nine assists. Graziani came off the bench in Miami’slasthome game, a 75-60 win over Pittsburgh, and scored 11 second halfpoints.

The Lady Toppers travelto Coral Gables following a 79-68 lossat Florida International on Jan. 4. The loss to the Golden Pantherssnapped a WKU three-game win streak.

The Hurricanes hold a modest2-1 advantage over Western Kentuckyin the all-time series, including a 2-0 mark at the Knight SportsComplex. Western Kentucky topped the Hurricanes, 78-63, in thesecondround of the 1993 NCAA Tournament on WKU’s home floor, E.A. DiddleArenain Bowling Green, KY.

Miami is led by All-BIGEAST senior forward Kym Hope’s team-high15.2 points and 8.8 rebounds per game average. In addition, JenniferJordan (14.6 ppg, 7.7 rpg) and Cassaundra Wimes (13.4 ppg) are averagingdouble-figure scoring.

The Lady Toppers are ledby Shea Lunsford’s 18.8 and 11.5rebounds per game.

Tipoff: 7 p.m.
Records: Miami 8-4, Western Kentucky 10-3
Probable Starters:
Miami
Pos. Player Yr. Ht.
Avg.
F Kym Hope
Sr. 6-2 16.1
F Cassaundra Wimes
Sr. 5-10 14.2
C Jennifer Jordan Sr.
6-1 14.6
G Beth Barnhart Sr.
5-9 9.1
G Gina Graziani Jr.
5-9 6.6
Head Coach: Ferne Labati (11th season)

Western Kentucky
Pos. Player Yr. Ht.
Avg.
F Shea Lunsford Sr.
6-2 18.8
F Kristi Hartley Sr.
5-11 7.3
C ShaRae Mansfield
So. 6-2 13.9
G Jaime Walz
Jr. 5-11 8.1
G Katashia Witcher
Sr. 5-6 12.7
Head Coach: Steve Small (1st Season)