Michigan
Purdue
Michigan Upsets No. 12-Ranked Purdue
1/8/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's basketball team picked up one of the biggest wins in school history on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 8) at Crisler Arena. Michigan knocked off No. 12-ranked Purdue 74-67 before 2,106 fans in a game that was televised nationally by CBS.
The big story of the game was the play of junior point guard Anne Thorius (Horsholm, Denmark/Rungsted Gymnasium), who missed Thursday's (Jan. 6) game at Indiana with a deep thigh bruise. Thorius added a season-high 18 points, including 13 in the second half. She was 6-of-9 from the floor, including a 2-for-2 effort from three-point land. Thorius also added five boards, four assists and two steals in 38 minutes.
Michigan's Stacey Thomas (Flint, Mich./Southwestern Academy) broke the Big Ten Conference all-time steals record. Thomas entered the game needing just two steals to break the mark of 327 held by Wisconsin's Keisha Anderson (1994-97). Thomas, who finished with three thefts, now has 329 career steals. Thomas added 13 points and five boards.
Four of Michigan's five starters scored in double figures. Thorius led the way with 18 points, while Thomas had 13. Senior center Alison Miller (Grand Haven, Mich./Grand Haven HS) added 12 points and seven boards, while forward Raina Goodlow (Detroit, Mich./Dominican HS) finished with 10 points. U-M's other starting guard, Alayne Ingram (Lansing, Mich./Waverly HS), added six points.
Michigan's bench outscored Purdue's by a 15-2 margin. Senior forward Kenisha Walker (Grand Rapids, Mich./Creston HS) provided a spark with eight points, while freshman center LeeAnn Bies (Lakeview, Mich./Lakeview HS) added five.
Michigan, which led 33-27 at halftime, shot 47.2 percent from the floor and 77.8 percent from the free throw line. U-M hit 10-of-12 free throws down the stretch to help seal the win.
Purdue (9-4, 1-2 Big Ten) was led by junior guard Katie Douglas with 30 points and eight boards. Junior center Camille Cooper added 26 points and seven boards. The rest of Purdue's team added just 11 points.
Michigan (11-4, 3-1 Big Ten) returns to action on Monday (Jan. 17) at 2 p.m. CST when the Wolverines travel to Illinois.
N O T E S
Sophomore guard Alayne Ingram is just four points shy of 500 for her career. Ingram has 496 career points in 45 games, an average of 11.0 points per game.
With four assists, Anne Thorius moved into third place on Michigan's all-time assists chart. Thorius surpassed Orethia Lilly (1982-86), who previously held down third place with 313 helpers. Thorius has 314 career assists.
This marks the second straight year that Michigan has knocked off a nationally ranked team. U-M beat No. 19-ranked Ohio State 85-71 on Jan. 29, 1999, at Crisler Arena.
Q U O T E S
Michigan Head Coach Sue Guevara
On today's game ... "First, I have to give my team all the credit in the world. We bounced back from a tough loss on Thursday night (at Indiana) to play a very good basketball team today, in less than 48 hours. Our post players came up big for us. This team loves a challenge. I told the kids that they have worked so hard, and they play to win."
On Stacey Thomas' performance ... "We had a couple records set today. Stacey puts in so much effort in the defensive end. I know I am going to get that effort from her game in and game out, and in practice."
On bench production ... "We had contributions from some kids off the bench that helped us. LeeAnn Bies, Ruth Kipping and Kenisha Walker all came in today. Kenisha is our X factor. She can defend the post and the perimeter. Her shot was on today."
Senior Forward Stacey Thomas
On breaking the Big Ten steals record ... "I think each team is a new personal challenge for me. I don't want whomever I'm guarding to score. I take pride in that. I didn't expect it to come so soon, and I guess all the hard work paid off."
Purdue Head Coach Kristy Carry
On the team's point production ... "We need our other players to step up. We had 11 points distributed throughout the rest of the team. We need some people to help Katie (Douglas) and Camille (Cooper). We have been no-shows the past couple games. Katie and Camille cannot do it by themselves. I'm not sure what to do or what this staff can do. We need the players to be players. We need everyone to step up."
On Michigan's bench vs. Purdue's bench ... "Michigan has depth in their team that we do not have. That is one of our problems. I am disappointed in our bench production."
Contact: Becky Olsen (734) 763-4423
