Michigan
Alabama-Birmingham
Michigan Captures Torneo Cancun de Basquetbol Title
11/29/1998 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Site:Â Cancun, Mexico (Kuchil Baxal Arena)
Event: Torneo Cancun de Basquetbol (Championship Game)
Score:Â Michigan 73, Alabama-Birmingham 55
Records:Â U-M (4-1), UAB (1-2)
Next U-M Game:Â Friday, Dec. 4 -- vs. Central Michigan (Crisler Arena), 7:30 p.m.
CANCUN, Mexico -- The University of Michigan women's basketball team captured the second annual Torneo Cancun de Basquetbol title Sunday evening (Nov. 29) with a 73-55 win over UAB at Kuchil Baxal Arena.
Junior captain Stacey Thomas (Flint, Mich./Southwestern Academy) was named the tournament Most Valuable Player after scoring a team-high 17 points and adding five rebounds and two steals against UAB. Senior Ann Lemire (Fairgrove, Mich./Frankenmuth HS) joined Thomas on the all-tournament team, contributing 13 points, five boards and one steal against the Lady Blazers.
In the first half the lead remained in single digits for both teams, with four ties and three lead changes. Michigan (4-1) went up by seven at 2:21 on a jumper from Lemire. The Wolverines closed the half up by seven (36-29) with Alison Miller (Grand Haven, Mich./Grand Haven HS) connecting on two free throws.
Michigan never relinquished the lead in the second half, going up by as many as 11 in the opening five minutes. UAB (1-2) brought it within four at the 7:51 mark, but the Wolverines held onto a double-digit lead for the final 3:18 of the game.
Anne Thorius (Horsholm, Denmark) added 13 points and Alayne Ingram (Lansing, Mich./Waverly HS) chipped in 11 for Michigan, which shot 82.6 percent (19-of-23) from the foul line.
The Wolverines will take a four-game winning streak into their next game, a home contest against Central Michigan on Friday, Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m. in Crisler Arena.
NOTES
• All-Tournament Team: Stacey Thomas -- MVP (U-M), Ann Lemire (U-M), Regiena Brown (UAB), Felicia Jackson (UAB), Kiesha Brooks (Coppin State), Phylesha Whaley (Oklahoma)
• All-tournament selection Stacey Thomas recorded 16 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and four steals in the semifinal game against Coppin State, while Ann Lemire tallied nine points, five rebounds, three assists and one steal in the first game.
