Michigan
Rice
Wolverines Roll Past Owls to Win Rice Invitational
12/4/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Michigan struggled early offensively with just two baskets in the first 5:35. One bucket was canned by Stacey Thomas (Flint, Mich./Southwestern Academy), who stole the ball from a Rice defender and went coast-to-coast for the easy layup. Alayne Ingram (Lansing, Mich./Waverly HS) added the other basket on a short jumper.
Michigan finally started to get on track offensively midway through the half. The Wolverines took their first lead of the game at the 9:04 mark of the first half on a basket by Anne Thorius (Horsholm, Denmark/Rungsted Gymnasium). Six quick points off the bench from freshman LeeAnn Bies (Lakeview, Mich./Lakeview HS), the tournament's Most Valuable Player, helped Michigan extend its lead to 25-16 with 3:13 to go in the half.
The Wolverines ended the half on a 14-7 run to enter halftime with a 29-21 lead. The Wolverines, who only shot 40.9 percent (9-of-22) in the first half, were solid on the defensive end, holding Rice to 32.0 percent (8-of-25) shooting. The Wolverines also recorded eight steals and two blocks.
The second half saw Michigan jump out to an 11-point lead (41-30) on a Bies three-point play off a putback and free throw. The Wolverines continued to add to their lead, picking up 10 second-half points from Ingram and 13 from Bies.
For the game, Michigan shot 41.7 percent (20-of-48) from the floor and 74.1 percent (20-of-27) from the free throw line, while holding Rice to 36.0 percent (18-of-50) from the field.
Ingram, who joined Bies on the all-tournament team, led all scorers with 19 points, followed by Bies, who came off the bench to add a double-double on 10 rebounds and a career-high 18 points. Kirra Jordan led Rice with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Michigan returns to action Tuesday, Dec. 7, when the Wolverines host Vanderbilt at 7 p.m. at Crisler Arena.
N O T E S
Michigan set a new school record with seven wins to begin the season. The previous best start was six, set by the 1989-90 team.
The Gene Hackerman Rice Invitational all-tournament team consisted of MVP LeeAnn Bies (Michigan), Alayne Ingram (Michigan), Jennifer Butler (Massachusetts), Melanie Maynes (New Mexico State), Kirra Jordan (Rice) and Marla Brumfield (Rice).
Q U O T E S
Head Coach Sue Guevara
On today's game ... "I'm very happy with this win. It is another win on the road -- the team's fourth of the year. This should help us get ready for Big Ten play."
On Michigan's depth ... "The depth of our team stood out today. We have the ability to play 10 players and our depth showed today. We had some starters who had an off game, and our bench was able to pick up and do a nice job."
On holding Rice to 36 percent shooting ... "I thought we did a nice job defensively. We put pressure on Rice and made them use the shot clock. We did a better job of taking care of the ball."
Contact: Becky Olsen (734) 763-4423
