UK women’s hoops headed toward Nashville, Tenn., with the same traveling plans as its men’s counterpart, with hopes of getting the ball to fall right their way. But for the second time this week a UK team was sent packing from the Music City singing the blues as the women’s basketball team fell to Vanderbilt on the road, 66-49.

Unlike the men’s outing on Tuesday, the women’s team played the game close during the first half, ending with a 25-19 lead at the intermission.

During the first half, sophomore guard Amani Franklin proved to be a catalyst for UK. She tallied 7 of her 13 points in the opening half, and ended the game with 11 rebounds. But Vanderbilt began the second half on a 14-5 run bringing the home team’s lead to 33-30. Despite the play of senior guard Chelsea Chowning, who scored 11 of her team-high 14 points in the second half, the Commodores were able to put together more runs that pushed them to victory. Vanderbilt dominated the paint in last night’s game outscoring the Cats 36-14.

The loss marked the Cats’ third defeat in five games. The current slump comes behind a streak of winning 5-of-6 games from Jan. 7 through Jan. 24.

Thinking pink

When the Cats host Alabama on Sunday, they will have a new school of thought. UK is one of over 600 schools participating in “Think Pink,” an effort to raise breast cancer awareness on and off the court. The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association started the program last year with 120 schools. It has become popular with several teams wearing pink jerseys and shoes during the initiative that began nationally Feb 8.

Although the Cats will not wear pink jerseys they will have pink warm-ups, headbands and shoes. Any fan in pink clothes will be admitted into the game for $1.