Michigan
Michigan State
Michigan Defeats Michigan State to Open Big Ten Season
12/30/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Thursday night's Michigan-Michigan State rivalry was another classic for the record book. Behind a 21-point performance by senior forward Stacey Thomas (Flint, Mich./Southwestern Academy), the University of Michigan women's basketball team recorded a 64-61 win over Michigan State at Crisler Arena. It was the Big Ten Conference opener for both teams.
Lansing native Alayne Ingram (Lansing, Mich./Waverly HS), who was held scoreless in the first half, hit a key three-pointer with time running out on the shot clock to give Michigan a 59-54 advantage with 2:25 remaining. Ingram finished the contest with eight points.
The Wolverines sealed the win on solid free throw shooting down the stretch. A pair of free throws by Anne Thorius (Horsholm, Denmark/Rungsted Gymnasium) and Ingram and a single one by Alison Miller (Grand Haven, Mich./Grand Haven HS) helped propel the Wolverines to the 64-61 win.
Michigan carried a 28-24 lead heading into the locker room at halftime. The first half saw eight lead changes and two ties, after Michigan State opened the game on a 12-6 run.
One of the big differences in the game was the play of the Wolverine bench, which outscored Michigan State's 19-0. Ruth Kipping (Quincy, Ill./Quincy HS) led the way with eight points off the bench, while Kenisha Walker (Grand Rapids, Mich./Creston HS) had six.
Overall, Thomas led Michigan with a season-high 21 points and added nine boards, eight steals, two blocks and three assists. Raina Goodlow (Detroit, Mich./Dominican HS) was the other U-M player in double figures, with 10 points.
Three Spartans scored in double figures, led by Becky Cummings with 23 points. Kristen Rasmussen had 14 points and Maxann Reese 10. With the loss, Michigan State drops to 9-3 overall and 0-1 in the Big Ten.
Michigan (9-3, 1-0 Big Ten) heads to Minnesota this Sunday (Jan. 2) for a 2 p.m. tip-off with the Golden Gophers.
N O T E S
Tonight's attendance of 3,406 fans was the sixth-largest home crowd in U-M women's basketball history.
Stacey Thomas tied her career high with eight steals against MSU. Thomas increased her career total to 320, just seven short of the Big Ten Conference record of 327 held by Wisconsin's Keisha Anderson (1994-97).
Michigan is now 5-15 all-time -- and 2-2 under head coach Sue Guevara -- in Big Ten Conference openers.
Contact: Becky Olsen (734) 763-4423
