Michigan
Providence
U-M Posts Come-From-Behind Victory Over Providence
11/30/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The first half saw both teams trade buckets before an 11-2 run by Providence helped the Friars to a 25-14 lead with 10:01 remaining. It was the first time this season that Michigan trailed in double digits.
Michigan slowly cut into Providence's lead. A bucket by LeeAnn Bies (Lakeview, Mich./Lakeview HS) and a three-pointer by Raina Goodlow (Detroit, Mich./Dominican HS) cut the Providence lead to nine, 30-21, with 7:05 to go.
A late first-half run by Michigan cut even more into PC's lead heading into the locker room for halftime. Goodlow came in off the bench and sparked the Wolverine comeback. She hit a triple and two key free throws to cut PC's lead to three at half, 35-32.
Cold shooting in the first half hurt the Wolverines as the team connected on just 26.3 percent (10-of-38) of its shots. On the other hand, Providence hit 44.8 percent (13-29) of its shots, including a 5-for-11 (.455) effort from three-point land.
The second half was an entirely different story. Michigan took its first lead of the game, 38-37, with 17:53 remaining, thanks in part to Stacey Thomas (Flint, Mich./Southwestern Academy), who added four quick points.
Both teams exchanged several baskets in the second half before Michigan took control on a Thomas three-pointer at the 5:19 mark. The bucket put U-M up 62-60 and it was a lead that the Wolverines would never relinquish.
Michigan was led by Thomas, who posted her third double-double of the year with 17 points and 12 boards. Goodlow added a season-best 14 points, while Alison Miller (Grand Haven, Mich./Grand Haven HS) and Anne Thorius (Horsholm, Denmark/Rungsted Gymnasium) contributed 10 points each.
Providence (1-3) was led by Dani Trippany with 13 points and Chrissy Vozab with 12. Monika Roberts added six points, eight boards and six blocked shots.
Michigan (5-0) returns to action this weekend (Dec. 3-4) at the Gene Hackerman Rice Invitational in Houston, Texas. On Friday, U-M will face New Mexico State in the first game at 6 p.m. CST, followed by UMass-Rice at 8 p.m. The third-place game is set for 5 p.m. CST on Saturday, followed by the championship game at 7 p.m.
N O T E S
Q U O T E S
Head Coach Sue Guevara
On the U-M team ... "This is a very good team to coach. They listened to what suggestions we were giving them in the second half. There were people who struggled offensively, but you saw the other parts of their game. Alayne (Ingram) has a great ability to pass the ball. She was able to hit the post players who could finish for us. Anne (Thorius) hit some big threes for us. We worked on being patient after our last game, and tonight in the second half, we were. "
On the bench production ... "In the first half, our starting post players were in foul trouble and sat for a great deal. It gave a chance for Raina Goodlow, LeeAnn Bies and Kenisha Walker to come in. They held their own. We have the ability to play a lot of people. We can wear the other teams down. If we get in foul trouble, we have people to bring in and they respond."
On this victory ... "I am pleased with this victory. We got better tonight. We played better tonight than on Saturday (against Holy Cross). It's one step at a time. In the first half, our shots just weren't falling. It's not that we weren't playing our best game, it's just that the shots were not going in. In the second half, we were getting the same basic shots. It was just that this time they were falling."
Senior Center Alison Miller
On tonight's game ... "Tonight was definitely a character builder. In our first four games, I can't remember us being down, especially going into halftime. This was a new experience for us. It was definitely something we talked about at halftime, and it ended in a positive result. "
Sophomore Forward Raina Goodlow
On coming in off the bench ... "I don't have to start. I realize that bench production is very important. As long as I can do whatever I can for this team, I don't care if I am starting or coming in off the bench. I always put a little pressure on myself to contribute right away. If the starters are struggling, it's up to the bench to step up."
Providence Head Coach Jim Jabir
On tonight's game ... "First, hats off to Sue Guevara and the team. They are a very well-balanced, well-coached and deep team. They did a great job. I thought we had prepared very well for them. I think it was our youth and our lack of depth hurt that us at the end. You have to give credit to Michigan. They are a good club. I am disappointed in our lack of focus when they picked up the pressure."
Contact: Becky Olsen (734) 763-4423
