Michigan
Holy Cross
Wolverines Drop 62-58 Road Decision at Holy Cross
2/8/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
WORCESTER, Mass. -- The University of Michigan women's basketball team stepped out of conference tonight (Thursday, Feb. 8) and suffered a 62-58 loss to Holy Cross at the Hart Center. The Wolverines incurred their second straight loss despite 14- and 12-point performances, respectively, from LeeAnn Bies (Lakeview, Mich./Lakeview HS) and Alayne Ingram (Lansing, Mich./Waverly HS).
Freshman forward Stephanie Gandy (Detroit, Mich./Northern HS) opened up the scoring with a layup along the baseline. Holy Cross (16-7) came right back with the next six points to gain an early 6-2 lead. Gandy continued her strong start with a blocked shot defensively and another hoop in transition as well as an offensive rebound and put-back. Gandy's play helped the Wolverines regain the lead 14-13.
Michigan (14-9) pushed its lead to a first half-best four at 26-22 after two of Bies' eight first-half points. The Wolverines, however, managed only a Jennifer Smith (Lansing, Mich./DeWitt HS) baseline jumper in the final four minutes of the first half and actually trailed 30-28 going into the locker room at halftime.
The Wolverines struggled in its half-court set against Holy Cross' zone and were unable to get the ball inside consistently or knock the down the perimeter shot (0-4 three-point field goals). Holy Cross hoisted 11 triples in the first half, knocking down three of them. Bies led Michigan at the break with eight points, while Gandy led the Wolverines with five boards, including the Wolverines' only four offensive boards of the half.
After Bies knocked a pair of free throws to open the second half and tie the score at 30, Holy Cross answered with consecutive triples to take the biggest lead of the game at 36-30. Ingram helped Michigan fight back and tie the game at 38, nailing Michigan's first triple of the game right after leading a fast break that ended with a conventional three-point play from Heather Oesterle (Mason, Mich./Mason HS). A breakaway layup by Gandy tied the contest at 38, but Holy Cross opened its lead back up to five at 43-38.
At this point Michigan finally discovered its inside game as Smith and Bies scored Michigan's next 10 points during a 10-4 run that gave the Wolverines a 48-47 lead with under 10 minutes remaining. With Michigan leading 51-50, Holy Cross forward Amanda Abraham converted on a four-point play as the shot clock neared zero to give the Crusaders a three-point lead. Ingram, however, answered with a huge baseline triple at the 3:15 mark to tie the score at 56.
Holy Cross regained the advantage 58-56 as the clock ticked below the one-minute mark when Crusader forward Monika Rothemich drilled a triple from the top of the key -- her only points of the game -- for a 61-56 lead. The Wolverines were unable to cut into that deficit and the only Michigan points the rest of the way came on a meaningless jumper in the lane from Ingram at the final buzzer as the Crusaders collected their 10th straight win, 62-58.
The Wolverines return to Big Ten Conference action Sunday (Feb. 11) when they host Illinois at 2 p.m. in Crisler Arena. All children 18 and under will be admitted free with a paying adult, and adults can purchase tickets for half price ($2) by showing a receipt from any Busch's store at the Crisler Arena box office on game day.
N O T E S
Stephanie Gandy's game-high 11 rebounds are a new career high, bettering the eight she had vs. Stephen F. Austin (Nov. 26). She added nine points against Holy Cross, just missing her first career double-double.
Michigan finishes with a 7-4 regular-season non-conference mark.
Michigan's 58 points matched its third-lowest point total of the season.
Q U O T E S
U-M Head Coach Sue Guevara
On the game overall ... "This is a very disappointing loss for our team. This is very good Holy Cross team that was ready to play on its home floor and we did not get the job done."
Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423
