Michigan
Texas
Wolverines Fall Behind Early, Unable to Catch No. 10 Texas
11/24/2018 10:15:00 PM | Women's Basketball
» Michigan opened the game with a 6-2 lead in the opening minutes, but Texas used a 19-0 run over the to take control of the contest.
» U-M closed to within 13 points with 7:42 remaining but Texas scored six quick points on a desperation three-pointer and a three-point play to regain control.
» Michigan will face Washington in Sunday's (Nov. 25) third-place game at 5 p.m.
Site: Estero, Fla. (Hertz Arena)
Event: Gulf Coast Showcase (Semifinals)
Score: #10 Texas 69, Michigan 52
Records: U-M (4-1), UT (5-0)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Nov. 25 -- vs. Washington - Gulf Coast Showcase Third-Place Game (Estero, Fla.), 5 p.m.
ESTERO, Fla. -- The University of Michigan women's basketball team closed to within 13 points with 7:42 remaining, but could get no closer after falling in an early hole as the Wolverines dropped a 69-52 decision to No. 10-ranked Texas in the semifinal round of the Gulf Coast Showcase on Saturday (Nov. 24) at Hertz Arena.
Sophomore Deja Church paced the Wolverines with 12 points with five rebounds. Freshman Amy Dilk joined her in double figures with 10 points, while also chipping in six boards and two assists.
Michigan struggled to find its offensive rhythm, shooting just 29.0 percent (20-for-69) from the floor. The Wolverines tied the Longhorns on the glass at 44 boards each, but Texas shot 44.0 percent (27-for-61) to negate Michigan's ability to keep pace on the glass.
After Texas scored the game's first basket, Michigan answered with a 6-0 run on buckets from Church, senior Hallie Thome and Dilk for a 6-2 lead just two minutes into the game.
Texas responded by scoring 21 of the next 23 points in the quarter to take a 23-8 lead after the first 10 minutes. Michigan was plagued by cold shooting in the period, as they shot just 4-of-23 from the floor but outrebounded the Longhorns, 17-12.
Texas hit the break with a 39-14 lead, shooting 45.5 percent (15-for-33) compared to just 13.9 percent (5-for-36) for the Wolverines. Dilk and Thome paced the Maize and Blue with four points each over the first 20 minutes.
Michigan outscored the Longhorns, 19-13, in the third quarter and held the Longhorns to just two points over the final 5:12 of the frame. The Wolverines ended the quarter on a 9-2 run behind five points from Church, along with buckets from senior Nicole Munger and Dilk. Michigan had a chance to get within 15 points as Hillmon hustled down the floor looking for a fast-break bucket, but the pass was just out of reach with 1:46 remaining. Texas scored the final bucket of the period, grabbing a 52-33 lead after three.
Michigan clawed back within 13 points with 6:19 left in the game after six quick points from Church, Dilk and junior Kayla Robbins. U-M missed a layup on one end on its next offensive possession, with Texas making good on a desperation three-pointer. After another Michigan miss on offense, Texas made good on a three-point play to push the lead back to 19 with a little over five minutes remaining.
Michigan will conclude the Gulf Coast Showcase on Sunday (Nov. 25), when it takes on Washington in the tournament's third-place game at 5 p.m.
