Michigan
Penn State
Michigan Drops Road Decision to Eighth-Ranked Lions
2/15/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- The University of Michigan women's basketball team got off to a slow start Sunday (Feb. 15) at Penn State and never recovered, dropping a 73-44 decision to the eighth-ranked Lady Lions at the Bryce Jordan Center. Senior center Jennifer Smith (Lansing, Mich./DeWitt HS) was a bright spot for the Wolverines as she tallied 22 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and moved into third place on U-M's career scoring list.
Michigan did not do a good job of taking care of the basketball in the early going and as a result the Lady Lions sped out to a 13-0 lead before Smith scored the Wolverines' first points on a conventional three-point play. A majority of Michigan's first-half turnovers occurred in the first eight minutes while the Lady Lion lead expanded to 20 (26-6) at the 10:50 mark.
The Wolverines did respond with their best spurt of the first half over the next five-plus minutes as they enjoyed three-point trips on three occasions during the run. Niki Reams (Jenison, Mich./Jenison HS) began the spurt with a conventional three-point play on a tough drive to the basket. Smith and Stephanie Gandy (Detroit, Mich./Northern HS) then connected from behind the arc and brought the lead down to 17 (32-15).
Increased effort on the defensive end kept Penn State at bay and gave the Wolverines a chance to further cut into the lead before the break. However, Tabitha Pool (Ann Arbor, Mich./Huron HS) was on the bench with two fouls and the Wolverine offense stagnated the remainder of the half. Penn State scored the final six points of the frame to take a 38-15 lead into the locker room. Smith led Michigan with nine points and five boards through the first 20 minutes.
The hole the Wolverines dug in the first half was too much as Penn State methodically added to its lead. A second-half highlight for Michigan was Reams, who was playing in just her second game after sitting out two with a foot injury. Reams was very active on the offensive, getting to the free throw line and drilling a triple.
Despite Reams' efforts and Smith's steady play, the Wolverines never trimmed the deficit back under 20 points, though they did play the Lady Lions within six points (35-29) after the halftime break.
Michigan remains on the road for its final Big Ten game away from Crisler Arena on Thursday (Feb. 19, 7 p.m.) against Indiana at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind.
N O T E S
Jennifer Smith's double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds is her fifth of the season, and she scored 20 or more points for a team-leading 15th time this season.
Smith's 22-point performance makes her the third player in Michigan history with more than 1,600 points. Smith's effort today moved her past Wendy Bradetich (1,587, 1983-86) into third place on the school's all-time scoring list, with 1,603 points.
Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423
