Michigan
Northwestern
Gandy, Smith Pace Wolverines in Win Over Northwestern
1/23/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's basketball team earned its second straight Big Ten Conference victory with a 65-50 victory over Northwestern this evening (Thursday, Jan. 23) at Crisler Arena. The Wolverines (11-5 overall, 2-3 Big Ten) used an 18-1 run near the end of the first half to distance themselves from the Wildcats (6-12, 1-6) and never looked back.
| | Gandy had 13 points and six rebounds in the first half. |
Helped by Gandy's early seven points, the Wolverines jumped out to an 8-4 lead within the first five minutes of the game. Gandy gave Michigan an early advantage with a three-pointer at the 18:32 mark to break a 2-2 tie.
Northwestern battled back to knot the game at 8-8 two minutes later, however, mounting a quick four-point surge. Raina Goodlow (Detroit, Mich./Dominican HS) put the Maize and Blue ahead for good with her basket at 13:40 and, moments later, a three-pointer from the left corner off the hand of Pool put Michigan up by five.
The Wolverine machine then kicked into gear, building an 18-1 run over a seven-minute stretch to take a 31-11 advantage. Gandy was a catalyst for the Michigan offense, with the final six of her 13 first-half points and an assist. The run was punctuated at 1:40 as Gandy provided an uncontested layup for Goodlow with a behind-the-back pass on a two-on-one break. On the next possession Gandy stole the ball at midcourt before finishing up the breakaway chance with a layup.
Northwestern hit its only two three-pointers within the final 30 seconds of the half, improving to only 7-of-23 (.304) from the field. Michigan struggled to make shots in the early going, however, its late flourish helped the Wolverines to a 12-for-32 mark (.375).
Michigan took control early in the second half as Smith scored five points in the first two minutes to help U-M extend its lead to 37-17. Michigan used Smith's boost to build an early 9-2 run to take a 21-point lead. Northwestern was unable to ameliorate its shooting, falling into a six-minute field-goal drought from 14:31 to 8:30 and converting only four field goals in the first 10 minutes.
The low-post combination of Pool and Smith had a strong second half. Poole controlled the boards by securing five second-half rebounds, while Smith scored all but two of her game-high 17 points in the second frame, making all seven of her field goal tries in the final 20 minutes.
The Wildcats closed the game on a 15-5 run through the final four minutes, but Michigan held tough for the 65-50 win.
Michigan will take on Penn State (No. 13 AP, No. 15 ESPN/USA Today) this Sunday (Jan. 26) at Crisler Arena. The matchup is scheduled for a 5 p.m. tipoff.
N O T E S
Michigan has now won 10 straight in its series vs. Northwestern. Michigan has not lost to Northwestern since Feb. 16, 1997.
Stephanie Gandy scored in the double figures for the 10th time this season, and the Wolverines are 9-1 when she reaches that goal. Tabitha Pool is the only Wolverine with more games in double figures (12).
Jennifer Smith's 17-point effort gives her four straight games in double figures since returning to the starting lineup vs. Illinois on Jan. 5.
Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423
