Michigan
Seton Hall
Gandy Helps Michigan Find Way to Win Against Pirates
12/14/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's basketball team held the Seton Hall Pirates to an opponent season-low 41 points on .239 shooting as the Wolverines prevailed 59-41 on Saturday (Dec. 14) at Crisler Arena in the first-ever meeting between the two schools. The Maize and Blue (7-1) rode a 17-5 advantage at the free throw line to offset a season-high 26 turnovers and a season low in points, earning its seventh victory of the season.
| | Gandy's .909 shooting tied a Crisler Arena record. |
The Wolverines jumped out to a 15-3 lead after the game's opening eight minutes, using solid free throw shooting and scrappy defense to take their early advantage. The Maize and Blue connected on 9-10 freebies to start the game, which was the big key for U-M's fast start. Michigan also held the Pirates to 1-18 (.056) shooting from the field during that stretch.
The Pirates managed to climb back into the game by going on an 8-1 run to cut the U-M lead to six, 19-13, with 5:35 left to play in the first stanza. The Wolverines responded with a 12-2 run to push their lead back into double figures, 28-15, with under one minute left. The Pirates scored the last deuce of the half, but the Wolverines took a 31-19 lead into the locker room.
The Wolverines' advantage at the free throw line was the story in the first half as they hit 14-18 attempts compared to Seton Hall making only 2-3 from the stripe. The U-M defense was another key, holding the Pirates to 8-38 (.211) shooting in the half and only 1-10 (.100) from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Maize and Blue was Bies, who scored 11 points and pulled down four rebounds. Gandy had a strong half as well, chipping in eight points and grabbing six rebounds.
To start the game's final 20 minutes, both teams traded baskets and U-M maintained its 12-point halftime lead with 11:51 still remaining in the contest, 38-26. Gandy continued to stay on target, connecting for six points during those first eight minutes of the second half. The Pirates battled back and cut the lead to seven points (38-31) with less than nine minutes to play, but two Bies free throws and a driving lefthanded layup by Gandy pushed the Wolverine lead to 42-31.
The Wolverines would never look back, putting away the Pirates in the game's last five minutes. A Gandy triple with 3:09 left put the final nail in the Pirates' coffin and gave U-M a 55-36 lead. At the end of the game head coach Sue Guevara was able to clear her bench, and the Wolverines ended up with a 59-41 victory. Gandy had a spectacular half, hitting 7-8 of her field goal attempts on her way to scoring 15 second-half points, and Pool pulled down eight rebounds.
The Wolverines will next be in action on Saturday (Dec. 21, 11:30 a.m.) when they take on Colorado State at Crisler Arena.
N O T E S
LeeAnn Bies matched her career best in free throws made and attempted by sinking 12-14 freebies this afternoon. Bies' 14 points allowed her to become the ninth player in Michigan history to reach 1,250 career points.
Junior Stephanie Gandy scored a season-high 23 points and connected on 10-11 (.909) from the field. Her shooting percentage matches the Crisler Arena single-game record and ties for second place on U-M's all-time single-game list. The school record is a perfect 100 percent (8-8) that was set by Pollyanna Johns at Iowa on Jan. 26, 1997.
Tabitha Pool scored 13 points and had 11 rebounds, which was her third double-double of the season and fourth of her career. She leads the team in double-doubles and has scored double figures in a team-best seven straight games.
Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423
