Michigan
Athletes in Action (ex)
Michigan Starts Season with a Exhibition Win over AIA
11/5/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Senior forward Stacey Thomas (Flint, Mich./Southwestern Academy) pumped in a game-high 32 points as the University of Michigan women's basketball team opened the 1999-2000 season with a 90-75 exhibition win over Athletes in Action Friday evening (Nov. 5) at Crisler Arena. Thomas also added 14 rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks.
Michigan jumped out to an early 12-0 lead and never looked back in posting the win. Also scoring in double figures for Michigan were senior Alison Miller (Grand Haven, Mich./Grand Haven HS) with 15 points, sophomore Alayne Ingram (Lansing, Mich./Waverly HS) with 13 points, sophomore Ruth Kipping (Quincy, Ill./Quincy HS) and freshman center LeeAnn Bies (Lakeville, Mich./Lakeville HS) with 10.
Center Jenny Noll led Athletes in Action with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Former Michigan standout Shimmy Gray (1992-94) added 12 points and seven rebounds, while ex-Wolverine Ann Lemire (1996-99) tossed in six points on 2-of-2 shooting from the three-point line.
The Wolverines return to action next Friday (Nov. 12) when they entertain Soproni-Postas, a National Team from Hungary, in another exhibition at Crisler Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Q U O T E S
Head Coach Sue Guevara
On the team's first game ... "I'm pretty happy for this first game. We played a good basketball team. We came together in the second half. Our freshman, (LeeAnn) Bies, did a good job. I thought our bench did a good job. We made the commitment to execute."
On Raina Goodlow's condition ... "They tell me she has a knee sprain. She is going to be evaluated tomorrow."
On the game plan ... "We had established the starting five, but it just isn't going to be five players. This team is a running team, so we are always trying to get fresh legs in. I thought Alayne Ingram did a good job of running the point for us. Infini Robinson got her feet wet against some pretty good competition. Heather Oesterle saw some playing time. You are always trying to go eight or nine deep."
Senior Forward Stacy Thomas
On scoring 32 points ... "I was just having fun out there. I felt that it was time to step up. That's what I need to do as a captain and as a leader. I try to be aggressive and to look for my shot."
On winning this game ... "This is what we've been working on. To come out and execute and to see results like we did, it was great."
On AIA's type of game ... "They get up and down the floor, just like we do. I think it was a challenge, but it was fun, too."
Senior Center Alison Miller
On the physical game ... "It was physical, but it is also good preparation for us to get ready for the Big Ten. We are used to banging and bruising. It was definitely a good opener for us, so we will be ready for conference play."
AIA Head Coach Stephanie Zonars
On Michigan ... "They are a fine basketball team here. It was a great game. They came out very strong and got off to a good lead. It was a good, physical game."
The goal of the AIA team ... "Our job is to help the coaches see what their strengths and weaknesses are. I feel that we accomplished that. We gave them a good game. It was a physical game, and I think that we gave them a good test to see what they need to work on and what they are obviously very good at."
AIA Player Ann Lemire
On playing at Michigan again ... "For me, personally, it is great to be here. I've had so much support here. There were a lot of familiar faces and it was different seeing them as the other team."
AIA Player Shimmy Gray
On playing in Crisler Arena again ... "I've been gone for a long time, so for me it was more that I got to play in front of my family and friends. My motivation, though, doesn't change from opponent to opponent, whether it is Michigan or not."
Contact: Becky Olsen (734) 763-4423
