Notes & Quotes: Michigan 66, Northwestern 54
12/28/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Michigan opened the Big Ten home slate with this afternoon's game. With the win, Michigan moved to 4-7 in Big Ten home openers and head coach Kevin Borseth moved to 2-0 in league home openers.
The Wildcats and Wolverines met for the 56th time today. The rivalry is the third longest on-going Big Ten series for U-M. The longest on-going Big Ten series for U-M is with Michigan State. The Spartans and Wolverines will meet for the 60th time on Jan. 15.
Michigan went into the break trailing for the second consecutive game and for the second time in the last four games.
Carly Benson had her own special fan club at the game today. Friends and family members formed "Carly's UP Crew" that made the trek from Carney, Mich., in the Upper Peninsula to watch the game.
Former Wolverine standout Krista Clement was in attendance along with former Michigan great Jennifer Smith, who is working with strength and conditioning coach, Mike Curtis.
After being held scoreless for the first time this season at Ohio State in U-M's last contest, Carly Benson tallied seven points.
Jessica Minnfield was in double figures for the eighth time this season with 17 points. It was her first double-digit scoring effort since scoring 16 in Michigan's win over then-No. 8 Notre Dame on Dec. 10.
Melinda Queen was in double figures for the fifth time this season and set a new career high with 20 points. Her previous personal best was 16 set against Cincinnati (Dec. 19). It is her first 20-point game of her career.
With the victory Michigan moves to 5-1 at Crisler Arena this season.
Michigan moves to 5-0 this season when scoring between 60 and 69 points.
Q U O T E S
Michigan Head Coach Kevin Borseth
Opening statement... "This was a good win for us. Coming out of the holiday break we really needed to get things going and I thought that we did that in several areas today. I was proud of the way that we were able to hold our defensive pressure and maintain our defensive energy, especially in the second half."
On the flow of the game... "This game really was about defensive energy. We didn't have a great first half, but I thought in the second half we really were able to get some things going out of our defense. The defensive intensity really was the story of this game and I thought the second half was a great example of that and it really set the tone for the rest of the game."
On Melinda Queen's 20 points... "I really thought that Queenie (Melinda Queen) did a great job for us all game. She really made some things happen in the first half when we really needed it. She has always been able to put it on the floor but now that she's hitting some three-pointers she's really kept us in several games and was a difference maker today. Her getting 20 points is great but she really has been a great player for us all season."
U-M Senior Forward Melinda Queen
On her 20-point performance... "Being from Illinois you always want to play well against teams from your home state. Tonight, I was just taking the shots and they were going in. I couldn't have done it without my teammates who were great at getting me the ball today."
