Michigan
8-3, 1-0Big Ten
Iowa
8-5, 1-1Big Ten
Michigan Blows Past Iowa in Big Ten Opener
12/30/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Crisler Arena)
Score: Michigan 63, Iowa 46
Records: Michigan (8-3, 1-0 Big Ten), Iowa (8-5, 1-1 Big Ten)
Next Game: Thursday, Jan. 3 -- at Ohio State (Columbus, Ohio), 7 p.m.
Boxscore | Notes & Quotes | Photo Gallery | Video Report
ANN ARBOR, Mich. C The University of Michigan womens basketball team opened Big Ten Conference play with a thrilling 63-46 victory over Iowa Sunday afternoon (Dec. 30) in front of 1,664 fansat Crisler Arena. With the score tied at 34-34 five minutes into the second half, the Wolverines (8-3, 1-0 Big Ten) exploded for a 22-6 run over a span of 10:12 to establish a sizeable lead that they would maintain for the remainder of the contest. With the win, U-M broke a five-year, seven-game losing skid to the Hawkeyes (8-5, 1-1 Big Ten) and earned a victory in its league opener for the first time in six seasons. The Maize and Blue remain undefeated at home (5-0) and have won four straight overall.
Sophomore Krista Phillips(Saskatoon, Saskatchewan/Aden Bowman Collegiate HS) put forth perhaps the most balanced effort of her career, posting her first career double-double with 12 points and a career-high 13 rebounds, and adding a career-best four assists and a game-high three blocks in 28 minutes. Senior Janelle Cooper(Detroit, Mich./Renaissance HS) scored 10 of her 13 points in the second half while collecting five boards and three assists. Senior Krista Clement(St. Ignace, Mich./LaSalle HS) came up big once again, scoring 12 points and grabbing six rebounds in 39 minutes.
The story of the game was Michigans solid and controlled play in the second half. After shooting just 30 percent (8-of-27) in the first 20 minutes, the Wolverines came out of the break and poured in 58 percent (14-of-24) of their attempts from the field. U-M also took care of the ball in the late stages of the game, committing just six of its 14 turnovers in the second half. The Maize and Blue defense limited the Hawkeyes to just 21 percent (8-of-38) shooting in the final 20 minutes after giving up 48 percent (11-of-23) in the first half.
Michigan and Iowa exchanged punches for a majority of the first half, with neither team able to establish a substantial advantage. U-M opened the game on a 7-2 run for its biggest lead of the half, while the Hawkeyes snapped a 19-19 tie with a 5-0 run for their largest cushion. Iowa went into halftime holding a slim 26-24 lead.
Michigans big second-half run featured two triples from Cooper and a pair of strong baskets from Clement. Junior Melinda Queen(Oak Forest, Ill./Carl Sandburg HS) came off the bench and gave a spirited effort, scoring five of her season-high eight points on a three-pointer and two free throws. Junior Jessica Minnfield(Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic HS) assisted on four of U-Ms eight field goals during the surge.
The Wolverines never let their lead dip below 14 points the rest of the way, as Michigan scored five of its final seven points from the charity stripe to ice the game. U-M shot 81 percent (13-of-16) from the free throw line on the day.
Michigan will aim for its fifth straight win when it faces Ohio State Thursday (Jan. 3) at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start and will be broadcast by radio station WTKA (AM 1050).
Contact: Marc Ressler (734) 763-4423
