Michigan
1-1
Washington
2-1
Walker, Helvey Lead U-M Past Huskies in Home Opener
11/22/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's basketball team evened its record at 1-1 with a 75-68 win over Washington in the regular-season home opener Monday evening (Nov. 22) at Crisler Arena. The Wolverines fought hard from start to finish, coming out strong in the second half and turning a six-point deficit into a growing lead. The Wolverines helped themselves with key shooting from the field, connecting on 50 percent (24-48) of their field goal attempts, and outscoring the Huskies from the line 22-3.
| | Five of Walker's 22 points came during an 11-0 run that gave U-M the lead for good. |
Sophomore forward Kelly Helvey (Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic HS) also hit double digits for the Wolverines, producing 16 points and bringing down eight boards. Senior forward Tabitha Pool (Ann Arbor, Mich./Huron HS) came away with her 16th career double-double, matching her 12 points with 12 rebounds.
The first half began as a tight battle, with the lead changing six times in the first 11 minutes of play. Both teams struggled with their shooting from the floor, as they went a combined 4-for-13 through the first five minutes of the half. After intensity of a home season opener subsided both teams found their touch, particularly from behind the three-point line. Both squads traded triples, as the Huskies hit three straight and the Wolverines responded with two in a row for a 13-10 U-M lead.
Washington then turned up the defense, eventually forcing 15 Michigan turnovers in the first half. The Huskies' defense was a catalyst on a four-minute, 13-2 run for a 12-point lead (32-20) with just under four minutes remaining in the half.
Just when it appeared Washington may gain an insurmountable lead before the break, Michigan regained momentum with the help of key scoring from Walker. The freshman post player tallied two straight buckets along with a pair of free throws to cut Washington's lead to eight. Michigan then closed the half with a buzzer beater on a jumper from BreAnne McPhilamy (Portage, Mich./Northern HS) to trim the deficit to 36-30.
The Wolverines were forutnate to be trailing by just six after 15 turnovers and 7-13 shooting from the line in the first half.
The Wolverines maintained that late first half surge coming out of the locker room, quickly pouncing all over the Huskies. After giving up a free throw to open the half, Michigan rattled off a 9-2 run, tying up the game at 39. The drive was led by Helvey, who scored four points as well as dished out an assist to freshman point guard Becky Flippin (Springfield, Mo./Parkview HS) for her lone triple of the game.
The Huskies brought the score back to a 43-40 Washington lead with 15:38 left on the clock, but Michigan quickly rebounded thanks to hard-fought play from freshman guard/forward Janelle Cooper (Detroit, Mich./Renaissance HS) on both ends of the floor. The freshman came up with a big steal, ran the fast break and dished off the assist to Pool for a quick two. Cooper then hit back-to-back jumpers to give the Wolverines a 46-44 lead.
Michigan continued to clamp down on the defensive end, holding Washington scoreless from the field for almost five minutes. Including Cooper's four points, U-M put 11 straight points on the board for a 53-44 advantage with 11:28 left in the contest.
The Huskies were not backing down, however, and stayed in the game thanks to strong play from junior/sophomore forward Jill Bell. Bell carried Washington for almost two minutes, scoring six quick points to keep the Huskies in the ballgame. Thanks in large part to several trips to the foul line, the Maize and Blue maintained a 58-50 lead with 9:13 left to play.
As the clock ticked down in regulation, Washington brought out the long-range shooting to keep things interesting. The Huskies hit two straight triples, trimming the deficit to four (64-60) with just under five minutes to play. U-M turned to a veteran with some long-range shooting herself as Pool turned a pass from freshman guard Krista Clement (St. Ignace, Mich./LaSalle HS) into a three-point bomb to put a seven-point distance between Michigan and Washington.
Though the Huskies made another run at catching the hard-working Wolverines, Michigan was able to maintain the lead with solid work defensively and on the glass, winning its home opener 75-68.
The Wolverines hit the road for their next contest, traveling to the West Coast to face off against California-Santa Barbara. Tipoff is set for Friday (Nov. 26) at 7 p.m. PST.
Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423
