Wolverines to Close Out Homestand Against App State

» Michigan closes out a four-game homestand, welcoming Appalachian State to Crisler Center for the first time. The teams have not met since a holiday tournament during the 1992-93 season.
» The Wolverines have won eight of their first nine games for the sixth time in program history.
» Michigan features three double-figure scorers in Naz Hillmon (16.1 ppg), Kayla Robbins (11.7 ppg) and Akienreh Johnson (10.0 ppg).

THIS WEEK
Saturday, Dec. 14 -- vs. Appalachian State (Crisler Center), 3:30 p.m.
TV: BTN+ | Tickets | Live Stats | Live Video | WLBY Audio

• Complete Game Notes (PDF)

• Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

PROMOTIONS
• Dec. 14: Michigan holiday hat giveaway to the first 250 children. Santa visit on the concourse and face painting. Fans attending the Michigan men's basketball game at noon can use their ticket for free admission into the women's game.
• Full Promotions Schedule

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 24-ranked University of Michigan women's basketball team (8-1) closes out a four-game homestand Saturday (Dec. 14) against Appalachian State (2-5) at Crisler Center. Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. as part of a doubleheader with the Michigan men's basketball team. Fans attending the men's game can use their ticket for free admission into the women's game.

• Michigan has won four straight games, with the winning streak kicking off at Eastern Michigan on Nov. 27. During the stretch, Michigan has knocked off the Eagles (57-38), Morgan State (80-48), Syracuse (84-76, OT) and Oakland (79-64). The four-game streak moves Michigan's record to 8-1, the sixth time in school history that U-M has won eight of its first nine games. The Wolverines also won eight of their first nine games in 2011-12, 2002-03, 2001-02, 1998-99 and 1996-97.

• Contributing to Michigan's success over the past four games has been cutting down on turnovers. Michigan had a season-low 11 turnovers in its win over Oakland (Dec. 8), which came on the heels of turning it over just 12 times in an overtime win against Syracuse (Dec. 5). U-M has averaged 12.7 turnovers per game over the last four contests after averaging 17.0 per game in the first five.

• Michigan turned up the heat defensively in the last two games, forcing its last two opponents into at least 20 turnovers. Against Syracuse (Dec. 5), Michigan forced the Orange into 24 turnovers that led to 31 points. U-M recorded 15 steals, the most since matching that number against Southern last season (Dec. 21, 2018). Naz Hillmon and Akienreh Johnson each notched four steals on the evening, with Kayla Robbins (two) and Amy Dilk (three) also swiping more than one. U-M followed that up by forcing Oakland into 21 turnovers that resulted in 29 points. Robbins (four) and Johnson (three) led the defense that recorded 11 steals. Michigan has forced at least 20 turnovers in three games (Syracuse, Oakland, Western Michigan).

• Michigan has been effective on the glass in the early going, averaging 42.0 boards per game with a +10.0 margin to lead the Big Ten and rank 19th nationally. U-M also paces the Big Ten in rebounding defense, allowing just 32.0 rebounds per game to its opponents. Naz Hillmon is third in the conference in rebounding (8.9 rpg), with three other Wolverines grabbing at least five boards per game in Akienreh Johnson (5.6 rpg), Kayla Robbins (5.4 rpg) and Amy Dilk (5.3 rpg). Hillmon is second in the league in offensive rebounds (3.8) and seventh in defensive rebounds (5.1).

• Appalachian State (2-5) has won two straight games, knocking off Mercer (77-68) and Wofford (54-51). The Mountaineers are averaging 57.4 points per game on 35.3 percent shooting while allowing 68.3 points per game on 42.9 percent shooting. App State features three double-figure scorers in Pre Stanley (16.7 ppg), Ashley Polacek (10.7 ppg) and Lainey Gosnell (10.4 ppg). The teams have met just one time in program history, an App State win in 1992.