Michigan
4-5
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Western Michigan
1-5
Michigan Drops Road Game to Sharp-Shooting Broncos
12/14/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's basketball team got a 16-point, 12-rebound effort from Tabitha Pool (Ann Arbor, Mich./Huron HS) for her Big Ten-leading fifth double-double of the season but could not overcome .296 shooting and a 42-23 first-half deficit in a 79-62 loss at Western Michigan on Tuesday (Dec. 14). The Wolverines owned a huge advantage on the glass (44-29), but could not stop WMU's hot shooting from the perimeter, specifically a 10-19 effort from three-point land for the Broncos.
The Wolverines opened the game strong on the offensive end, with Pool showcasing her all-around game. Pool was giving the Broncos fits off the dribble either finishing herself or finding open teammates. The primary beneficiary early in the game was freshman forward Katie Dierdorf (St. Louis, Mo./Visitation Academy), who scored six early points.
Western Michigan was equally efficient offensively from the outset, particularly from behind the arc where the Broncos eventually connected on 8-12 in the first half. Three early triples helped offset Michigan's combination of Pool and Dierdorf to give WMU a 15-13 lead at the 14:07 mark.
The Wolverines answered with their best stretch of the first half, which was keyed by freshman guard Krista Clement (St. Ignace, Mich./LaSalle HS), who tripled and scored a layup during an 8-0 run that gave Michigan its biggest lead of the game (21-15) with 12:11 left in the first half.
Unfortunately for the Wolverines, the Broncos stayed hot from the offensive end for the final 10 minutes of the half while the Michigan shooters went cold. Dierdorf left the game with an injury in first half and played only 10 minutes, which took away what had been Michigan's best post option in the first half.
Post play, on the other hand, was not needed as an option in the first half for the Broncos, who drained mid-range jumpers and triples at an amazing pace. WMU shot .583 (14-24) from the field in the first half and .667 from three-point land, which was even more impressive when considering that Michigan entered this game leading the Big Ten in three-point field goal percentage defense.
WMU used its hot shooting to stake itself to a 42-23 lead into the break.
The Wolverines played with more intensity on the defensive end as the Broncos cooled down on the from behind the arc. The Wolverines forced 10 second-half turnovers and worked hard on the offensive glass where they outrebounded WMU for the game (44-29). Michigan could not get any closer than 14, however, as its shooting strokes stayed cold with the exception of some outside shooting from Becky Flippin (Springfield, Mo./Parkway HS), who connected on a career-best three trifectas.
The Wolverines eventually pulled down a season-high 23 offensive boards but converted those opportunities into just 15 second-chance points. Michigan pulled as close as 12 (72-60) on Flippin's final triple, but it was too little too late with just 1:15 remaining.
Michigan returns to the court at Maine on Saturday (Dec. 18, 2 p.m.) in its final game before a nine-day break around the Christmas holiday.
Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423
