Michigan
Wisconsin
Michigan Rallies to Defeat Wisconsin at Home
2/17/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's basketball team continued to roll on its home court, recording a 78-73 victory over the University of Wisconsin on Thursday evening (Feb. 17) at Crisler Arena. The win was Mchigan's fifth straight and the team's seventh consecutive home win.
Michigan jumped right out of the gate, holding a 14-5 lead just 3:33 into the contest. Sophomore forward Raina Goodlow (Detroit, Mich./Dominican HS) added six of her 10 points in the early going, while sophomore guard Alayne Ingram (Lansing, Mich./Waverly HS) pumped in six points.
U-M went up by 17 (35-18) with 5:24 remaining in the first half. Wisconsin started to cut into the Wolverine lead, going on a 16-3 run to pull within four (38-34) before Ingram canned a three-pointer for a 41-34 U-M halftime lead. Jessie Stomski led the Badger charge with five points, while Kelley Paulus added four points during the run.
The second half saw continued back-and-forth action between the teams. The Badgers took their first lead of the game, 54-53, on a layup by Tamara Moore at the 11:30 mark. Michigan answered the call with a layup by junior guard Anne Thorius (Horsholm, Denmark/Rungsted Gymnasium) to reclaim a 55-54 advantage. Over the next eight minutes, the teams played to eight lead changes and four tied scores.
Michigan freshman center LeeAnn Bies (Lakeview, Mich./Lakeview HS) made the key shot of the game. Bies hit a basket underneath on a pass from Thorius to put U-M up 69-68 with 2:57 remaining. Bies, who was fouled on the shot, converted the free throw as Michigan increased its lead to 70-68. It was a lead that Michigan would not relinquish in posting its 18th win of the season. U-M also hit its final six free throws, as Thorius made four and Stacey Thomas (Flint, Mich./Southwestern Academy) two to help the Wolverine cause.
Ingram paced the balanced Wolverine attack with a career-high 24 points. Thomas (14 points), Bies (14) and Goodlow (10) were the other players scoring in double figures. Thomas also added 10 boards for her ninth double-double of the season.
Wisconsin, which fell to 14-10 overall and 7-7 in the Big Ten, was led by senior guard Paulus with 20 points. LaTonya Sims added 17 points and Stomski 16 in the loss.
Michigan (18-6 overall, 10-3 Big Ten) heads to Michigan State this Sunday (Feb. 20). Tipoff is slated for 5 p.m. at the Breslin Center. The game will also be shown live on FOX Sports Chicago. Michigan State is coming off a 84-64 win over Purdue on Thursday evening (Feb. 17).
N O T E S
With the win, Michigan has now won seven consecutive home games. The streak ties the school record for consecutive home wins, set from March 11, 1989, to Jan. 5, 1990.
Sophomore guard Alayne Ingram added a career-high 24 points in the win. She broke her previous best of 23, recorded at Indiana on Jan. 6, 2000.
Senior forward Stacey Thomas posted her team-leading ninth double-double of the season and 24th of her career with 14 points and 10 boards.
The Wolverines are 10-1 at Crisler Arena this season. The 10 wins rank tied for second in school history with the 1981-82 squad for home wins in a season. The school record is 11, set in 1989-90. Michigan has one home game remaining -- Feb. 27 vs. Northwestern.
Q U O T E S
Michigan Head Coach Sue Guevara
On the game ... "The theme on our media guide is "Making History" and that is exactly what this team is doing. I have to commend Wisconsin. We knew the second half was going to be a dogfight. We struggled to score at the start of the second half. But we didn't panic."
On this team's output ... "This was a team effort. We had four people in double figures. Kenisha (Walker) made some great plays on (LaTonya) Sims. Stacey (Thomas) proves she doesn't always have to score, because she does so many other things for us. Alayne (Ingram) did a great job of giving what their defense brought and hit some great threes. I think we did a good job solidifying our place as second in the Big Ten."
On looking forward to Michigan State ... "This team loves a challenge. They take each game as a personal challenge. We have a huge game this Sunday at Michigan State."
Sophomore Guard Alayne Ingram
On going 4-of-5 from three-point range ... "I haven't hit a three in the past five games. Tonight I just wanted to go out there and win. I had the opportunity to shoot. It helps my confidence level when I hit that first one."
Wisconsin Head Coach Jane Albright
On tonight's game ... "It took us awhile to get settled in. Michigan has a great competitive nature. We (Michigan and Wisconsin) are very similar. It was a great game and a great competition."
On the play of Alayne Ingram ... "Alayne is a very emotional person. She hit a lot of very tough buckets. I think we tried every post player we had on her, but she still got the shots. She is a great competitor."
Contact: Becky Olsen (734) 763-4423
