Michigan
New Hampshire
Strong Defense Leads Wolverines Past New Hampshire
12/1/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's basketball team defeated the University of New Hampshire 81-49 on Friday (Dec. 1) at Crisler Arena. Strong offense and a tight defense led to the largest margin of victory this season for the Maize and Blue. Five players posted double-digit scoring as the Wolverines routed the Wildcats in front of 1,247 fans.
New Hampshire (2-3) opened up the scoring, but Michigan followed suit, scoring on its next possession. After several minutes of back-and-forth play, the Wolverines took the lead and refused to give it up. The Wolverines went on an 8-0 run and followed it up with a 7-0 run.
Michigan (4-2) went into halftime with a 29-23 lead. Freshman center Jennifer Smith (Lansing, Mich./DeWitt HS) led the squad in scoring during the first half, with eight points. Smith also accounted for a first-half team-high four rebounds.
The Wolverines came out strong in the second half. Junior forward Raina Goodlow (Detroit, Mich./Dominican HS) tallied a steal and two points on New Hampshire's first possession, leading Michigan to a 9-0 scoring drive. With the exception of two free throws from New Hampshire's Anna Matthias, the Wolverines held the Wildcats scoreless until the 15:41 mark of the second half.
Head coach Sue Guevara was able to give every member of the team an opportunity to play. Junior Heather Osterle (Mason, Mich./Mason HS) came off the bench to lead the team in scoring with 15 points, hitting 3-of-4 from three-point range. Osterle was one of five Wolverines who scored in double digits. Goodlow accumulated 13, while Smith, Anne Thorius (Horsholm, Denmark/Rungsted Gymnasium) and Alayne Ingram (Lansing, Mich./Waverly HS) each dropped in 10.
Michigan's stingy defense proved to be a tough opponent for New Hampshire, accounting for 21 UNH turnovers and allowing only 26 points in the second half. Michigan also set a season high with 13 steals. While the defense held tough, the offense kept its turnovers to a season low of eight.
The Wolverines return to action on Sunday (Dec. 3) when they face Western Michigan University at the Women's Basketball Showcase at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.
N O T E S
-- Jennifer Smith tied her career high in scoring with 10 points ... Heather Osterle set a career high in three-point shooting, hitting 3 of 4.
-- Michigan set a season high in points with 81 and held a team to a low of 49 points for the second consecutive game.
-- Michigan set a season high in three-point shots made with eight, surpassing the mark of five set against Stephen F. Austin.
Q U O T E S
U-M Head Coach Sue Guevara
On the game overall ... "I thought we came out and played much better in the second half. I thought our defensive intensity keyed the game. Our defense allowed us to get out and run and we did a nice job finishing and making good decisions on the break."
On Michigan's improved perimeter shooting ... "It was nice to see the perimeter shot dropping for us tonight. We have not shot the ball from the outside very well early in the season. We should gain a lot of confidence from our performance tonight."
Junior Guard-Forward Heather Osterle
On her play ... "It felt good to knock down a few shots. I think coming off the bench motivates me. Stephanie Gandy is playing very well right now and my main concern is to play whatever role this team needs me to play."
Junior Forward Raina Goodlow
On Michigan's defense ... "We came out to trap them. We did a lot of full-court pressure. We have emphasized defensive play in practice this week."
Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423
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