Michigan
Detroit
Smith's Career-High 29 Points Help Michigan Top Titans
12/1/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's basketball team took the early lead and never relinquished it, beating the Detroit Mercy Titans 87-63 on Sunday (Dec. 1) in Crisler Arena. The win keeps the Wolverines' record unblemished on the season at 4-0, which is their best start since the 1999-2000 season when they opened 7-0.
| | Smith scored a career-high 29 points in 29 minutes. |
Leading the way for the Maize and Blue was junior Jennifer Smith (Lansing, Mich./DeWitt HS), who set a new career high with 29 points and added nine rebounds. Sophomore Tabitha Pool (Ann Arbor, Mich./Huron HS) recorded her second career double-double with 15 points and 11 boards. Sierra Hauser-Price (Van Nuys, Calif./Notre Dame Prep) chipped in nine points, a new career high for the sophomore.
U-M jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead on two Niki Reams (Jenison, Mich./Jenison HS) free throws and a Pool baseline jumper, but the Titan offense got going to keep the score close in early minutes. The Wolverines then jumped ahead 10-5 when Mie Burlin (Challotenlund, Denmark/BMS-Herleb) connected on a deep three-pointer after six minutes of play.
The Titans continued to hang around by trading baskets with the Maize and Blue, but the Wolverines started to heat up with less than five minutes to play in the half. Using its defense to create some quality offensive opportunities was a key for U-M, as the Wolverines went on a 10-2 run over the last four minutes of the first half to make the score 36-22.
Smith sparked the Wolverines offensive attack by scoring 13 first-half points and pulling down seven rebounds. Pool's all-around play was a big factor in turning the tide Michigan's way, as she scored eight points and had eight rebounds. The U-M defense had a strong showing in the half, limiting the Titans to 8-26 (30.8 percent) shooting from the field.
Picking up where they left off in the first half, the Wolverines continued to light up the scoreboard by jumping out to a 43-25 lead after going on a 7-3 run to open the second half. U-M started to take command of the game with its strong inside play that created many easy looks at the basket for the Wolverines, and they took a 51-31 lead with 15:33 left to play in the contest.
U-M continued its second-half dominance as 11 out of 12 players managed to find their way into the scorebook and pushed the final margin to 24 points, 87-63. The defense was key again, forcing 13 second-half turnovers that sparked the Wolverine offense. LeAnn Bies (Lakeview, Mich./Lakeview HS) bucketed nine points in the half and Hauser-Price chipped in five.
The Wolverines will next be in action against Saint Louis on Saturday (Dec. 7) at the Xavier Tournament in Cincinnati, Ohio. Tipoff is slated for 3 p.m.
Q U O T E S
U-M Head Coach Sue Guevara
On the game overall ... "I was happy with the way that we controlled the tempo of the game, and I thought that was due in large part to our post players. We were able to do the things we wanted to do on the block in order for us to be successful."
On the second half ... "We were able to put up 51 points in the half, but I was a little disappointed with our defensive play. I think we had some mental lapses on the defensive end, so it wasn't a matter of lack of effort. We just needed to play a little smarter defensively."
N O T E S
U-M improves their record to 4-0 on the season, which is the best start for a Wolverine team since the 1999-2000 season when they started 7-0.
Junior Jennifer Smith set a new career high by scoring 29 points. Her previous high was 26 points, which she has done twice, last against Iowa on Jan. 31, 2002. The junior has now scored 20 or more points in six of her last seven outings dating back to U-M's final three games last season. She also collected her 400th career rebound in the first half of today's game and finished the contest with nine to give her 406 in her career.
Sophomore Sierra Hauser-Price set two career bests by scoring nine points and totaling five steals.
Sophomore Tabitha Pool recorded her second career double-double, netting 15 points and pulling down 11 caroms. Her first double-double came last season against Washington State (Dec. 7) when she had 16 points and 13 boards.
Freshman Rachael Carney (Flint, Mich./Powers HS) scored her first collegiate points (2), while BreAnne McPhilamy (Portage, Mich./Northern HS) netted a career-best three points.
Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423
