Michigan
1-1
UC Santa Barbara
1-0
Michigan Earns Impressive Road Victory Over Gauchos
11/26/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- The University of Michigan women's basketball team came up with one of the biggest wins in the coach Cheryl Burnett era tonight (Friday, Nov. 25) as the Wolverines snapped UC Santa Barbara's 12-game home winning streak and became just the second UCSB opponent in the last 41 games to defeat the Gauchos in the Thunderdome with a 57-51 victory. Michigan (2-1) used an impressive team defensive effort to hold UCSB (1-1) to just .377 shooting from the field as they spoiled the home opener for a UCSB team that was coming off a Sweet Sixteen appearance a year ago.
In a game with several lead changes, Tabitha Pool (Ann Arbor, Mich./Huron HS) came up with huge buckets at crucial times on the way to 19 points and 10 rebounds while holding UCSB All-America candidate Kristen Mann to 5-15 shooting from the field and 14 points. Freshman Ta'Shia Walker (Lansing, Mich./Sexton HS) continued to provide Burnett with a consistent second scoring option, totaling 22 points and four boards.
The contrast of two styles was evident from the outset, with UCSB intent on pounding the ball down in the post and the Wolverines using their quickness and outside shooting ability. Pool opened the scoring with a triple and then another triple from Becky Flippin (Springfield, Mo./Parkview HS) four minutes later gave the Wolverines a 6-5 lead.
In between triples, Michigan gave an indication of what it would try to do for much of the game, swarming down in the post defensively against the larger UCSB post players, specifically frustrating Mann into a 3-9 first-half performance from the field. With Michigan taking care of things on the defensive end and on the defensive glass, the Wolverines were able to expand their lead to as much as nine (20-11) at the 8:03 mark.
Michigan's reliance on the three-point shot stalled the Wolverine offense, however, when those long-range bombs quit dropping. UCSB took advantage and went on a 13-0 run for a 24-20 lead at the 2:12 mark. Michigan's six-minute-plus drought was snapped at the 1:41 mark by Walker, who scored the final six points of the half from all over the floor and sent the Wolverines into the break up two (26-24).
The story of the first half was Michigan's swarming defense, which held the Gauchos to .308 (8-26) shooting from the field and matched the bigger UCSB squad 20-20 on the glass.
The Wolverines stretched their lead out to 29-24 early in the second half, but the Gauchos used their size on the offensive glass to score eight straight and seemingly take control of the game after gaining the lead (30-29) with 15:32 left in the game. UCSB would hold the lead for next 12-plus minutes but could never pull away from the resilient Wolverines.
Each time UCSB looked to begin to pull away, Pool came up with a huge hoop or a pair of free throws. The senior, who is averaging a double-double this season, converted two free throws at the 13:10 mark to bring Michigan within one (32-31). Despite her efforts, the Gauchos pushed the lead to as much as five (45-40) with just over minutes left when Pool drilled her second triple of the game. Walker then scored in the post and the game was tied again.
The teams traded hoops before Krista Clement (St. Ignace, Mich./LaSalle HS) came up with a big steal and Walker was on the receiving end for a conventional three-point play and a 50-47 Wolverine lead. Michigan still led 54-51 with less than 30 seconds remaining when Pool connected from way behind the arc as the shot clock wound down, putting the final nail in the coffin.
Michigan held UCSB to just six points over the final 7:01 to clinch an important road victory.
Michigan returns to action at home against Drake on Tuesday (Nov. 30, 7 p.m.) at Crisler Arena.
Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423
