Michigan
Minnesota
Seniors Propel Wolverines to Upset of No. 12 Minnesota
2/29/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's basketball team secured a 57-47 conference win over Minnesota Sunday afternoon (Feb. 29) at Crisler Arena. The Wolverines (13-16, 6-10 Big Ten) honored seniors Stephanie Gandy (Detroit, Mich./Northern HS) and Jennifer Smith (Lansing, Mich./DeWitt HS) in their last Ann Arbor contest. Gandy and Smith put on a good show for their final performances at Crisler Arena, with the pair leading the team in scoring, accounting for 35 of Michigan's 57 points.
| | Smith (left) and Gandy both scored in double figures in their final home appearance. |
Junior forward Tabitha Pool (Ann Arbor, Mich./Huron HS) was also a major factor in the game, scoring seven points including 5-for-6 from the line. Pool made her presence on the court known, bringing down 10 boards, dishing off three assists and grabbing two steals.
The Wolverines set the tone early on in the first half, shutting out Minnesota for the first 4:30 minutes of play. They rattled off three field goals along with four from the line for a quick 10-0 lead. The Gophers finally hit their first field goal with 15:27 on the clock but would not see any more scoring for another 3:30. Smith went on a tear, staying on target for six straight points, with two buckets from the field and 2-for-2 from the line.
With Michigan ahead 16-2 at the 12-minute mark, Minnesota went on its only run of the half. The Gophers hit a triple along with back-to-back two-point buckets to close the margin to seven (16-9). Michigan's defense kept Minnesota from going any further, quickly diving into another scoring drive to add to the already growing Wolverine lead.
Sophomore Niki Reams (Jenison, Mich./Jenison HS) sparked the run, hitting Michigan's first triple of the contest to up the lead to 19-9. Others followed suit for a three-minute, 12-2 run to give the Wolverines a 28-11 advantage. Pool contributed with her effort on the floor, rattling off two boards, one assist and one steal over the three-minute span. The forward also hit her mark from the free throw line, going 3-for-4 from the stripe to add to the team's run.
Minnesota was able to get off quality shots for the remaining five minutes of the half, countering Michigan's scoring efforts to keep the Wolverines from gaining any more of an advantage. Michigan did not allow Minnesota to get close to the lead, however, maintaining consistent scoring as the clock ticked down. After continued good shooting from Smith and Gandy for the half, the Maize and Blue took a 35-17 lead into the locker room.
The second half began with the Gophers lowering the scoring margin, outscoring the Wolverines 10-5 for the first five minutes of play. Minnesota junior center Janel McCarville continued to be a thorn in Michigan's side, putting up six of Minnesota's 10 points. Smith responded with two points of her own, but the Gophers continued to pick away at the Wolverine lead.
For the next nine minutes of play, Michigan would only salvage four points to Minnesota's 13. The Gophers were able to close the gap to a 48-40 lead with 4:38 remaining before Reams drained one on a fast break to maintain a 10-point lead for the Maize and Blue with 2:08 left to play.
Minnesota would get too close for comfort, however, putting up seven points against two free throws by Pool to narrow the margin to just a five-point Wolverine lead (52-47) with 1:20 left in regulation. Michigan proved well in the clutch, going to the line three times on Minnesota fouls. Sophomore guard Rachael Carney (Flint, Mich./Powers Catholic HS), Smith and Gandy combined for 5-for-6 from the stripe to clinch the 57-47 win for the Wolverines.
Michigan's next task is the Big Ten Tournament, which begins Thursday (March 4) at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. The Wolverines are the No. 7 seed and will play No. 10 seed Illinois in the second game Thursday at approximately 5:30 p.m.
Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423
