Michigan
Wisconsin
Michigan Drops Third Straight Big Ten Game at Wisconsin
2/2/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
MADISON, Wis. -- The University of Michigan women's basketball team suffered its third straight loss in Big Ten Conference action with a 68-56 defeat at Wisconsin on Sunday (Feb. 2) at the Kohl Center. Junior center Jennifer Smith (Lansing, Mich./DeWitt HS) scored a game-high 18 points and added seven rebounds to pace the Wolverines, while freshman guard Niki Reams (Jenison, Mich./Jenison HS) came off the bench to contribute 15 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals.
| | Reams' all-around effort included 15 points, four assists and three steals. |
Wisconsin answered with its first run of the game, a 13-2 spurt during which Michigan's only field goal came on a steal and breakaway layup by Reams. The Badgers switched to a zone, which slowed the Wolverines down and ignited the run. Wisconsin eventually led by as much as seven (25-18) with 4:15 left in the frame. Michigan was its own worst enemy during the Wisconsin run as the Wolverines continued to execute in the half-court on offense but could not convert good looks in the paint.
Reams continued to give Michigan a big boost off the bench with a hoop in the paint and a triple to pull the Wolverines back within two (27-25). The two teams traded baskets over the final two minutes of the half, but a triple from Wisconsin's Stephanie Rich with five seconds left in the frame sent the Badgers into the locker room with the momentum and a four-point lead (34-30).
Reams led Michigan with eight points in the first frame and, while LeeAnn Bies (Lakeview, Mich./Lakeview HS) grabbed six boards. Taking care of the basketball was not a problem as Michigan turned it over just four times and dished out nine assists, led by three from Lauren Andrews (Houston, Texas/Klein Forest HS). The Wolverines were fortunate to be down just four at the break considering they shot .371 (13-35) from the floor compared to .520 (13-25), including 5-8 from behind the arc, for Wisconsin.
Wisconsin picked up right where it left off opening the second half, hitting a pair of perimeter shots, including its sixth triple of the game, while pushing the lead to 11 (41-30). After Wisconsin stretched the lead to 13 (43-30), Reams drilled another three which preceded a conventional three-point play by Smith to get Michigan back within seven (43-36) at the 14:38 mark, but Wisconsin immediately pushed its lead back to double digits.
Michigan pulled back within nine (54-45) with 9:05 left after back-to-back trifectas from Smith and Rachael Carney (Flint, Mich./Powers Catholic HS) but could get no closer until Smith scored U-M's final six points to draw the Wolverines within eight (64-56) with 1:19 to play. Despite dishing out 17 assists, grabbing 14 offensive rebounds and collecting 11 steals, the Wolverines matched their second-lowest scoring output of the season.
The Wolverines (11-8, 2-6 Big Ten) return to action on Thursday (Feb. 6) when they host Iowa for a 7 p.m. contest at Crisler Arena.
Q U O T E S
U-M Head Coach Sue Guevara
On the game overall "I thought the key to the game was the way Wisconsin ended the first half and started the second. They hit that triple before the end of the half and then we talked about some things defensively at halftime. Then we come out early in the second half and make the same mistakes we add just talked about. After that we never really made a serious challenge."
On Niki Reams' performance ... "Niki played a real good game and did a lot of nice things. I think this performance was a good confidence booster for her after she struggled against Michigan State."
N O T E S
Jennifer Smith has now scored in double figures in six straight games since re-entering the starting lineup vs. Illinois (Jan. 5).
Niki Reams led Michigan with four assists (without a turnover) and shared the team honors in steals (three) with Smith.
Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423
