The UC women's basketball team's mascot, Lasetta the Cabbage Patch Kid, serves up dirt on the team through her mom, senior point guard K.B. Sharp.

Happy New Year!

As I like to say, out with the old and in with the new. And in this case, the old is our three losses. The new year couldn't have come at a better time, because on Dec.31, we lost to Kentucky 69-67.

I have a hunch our shooting was the culprit. We shot 35.5 percent in the first half, coming off a 26.5 percent effort in the first half of our Dec.28 Crosstown Shootout win over Xavier.

I had a powwow with K.B. and guard Valerie King the night before Kentucky's win. I've been giving them good advice since they became roommates four years ago.

"Have patience and take good shots," I said. "We've got to get out of this slump, and quick. Conference play starts Jan.11!"

Today, we host Toledo at 3p.m., which means we've had four days to work on our shots. Not only is our game televised on Channel19, but admission is free. We're expecting a big crowd for our big win over the 7-3 Rockets, and we're planning to set a record for consecutive home victories. We tied the old mark (15) when we beat XU 61-56.

The newest member of our team will be there to watch today.

For Christmas, coach Laurie Pirtle got me a little sister. Laurie got K.B.'s name in our Secret Santa drawing, and a few weeks later - voila! - Baby Jordan became the newest member of the Cabbage Patch Posse.

We'll see you at the game!

- As told to Shannon Russell