Michigan
Illinois
U-M Dominates Illini, Moves into Big Ten Quarterfinals
2/28/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The No. 9-seeded University of Michigan women's basketball team opened up postseason action this afternoon (Thursday, Feb. 28) with a convincing 83-63 win over No. 8 seed Illinois in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse. The Wolverines' balanced effort was led by sophomore center Jennifer Smith (Lansing, Mich./DeWitt HS), who totaled 24 points and nine boards. Alayne Ingram (Lansing, Mich./Waverly HS) provided the perimeter threat with 17 points, while Heather Oesterle (Mason, Mich./Mason HS) collected team bests in assists (6) and steals (3).
| | Smith |
The Wolverines did virtually anything they wanted on the offensive end, evidenced by their 11-5 assist-turnover ratio in the first half. Much of that success was due to the play of Oesterle, who came off the bench to provide a spark on both ends of the floor. After Illinois (14-13) cut the Michigan lead to seven (25-18) on a steal and layup, the Wolverines answered right back as Oesterle found freshman Tabitha Pool (Ann Arbor, Mich./Huron HS) for a hoop that started Michigan on a 7-2 run that gave the Wolverines their biggest lead of the half (32-20) at the four-minute mark.
Pool was also a key for the Wolverines as the freshman played one of her best games of the season, finishing with 10 points and five rebounds. However, it was aggressiveness on both ends of the floor that was most evident in her improved play. Michigan kept its double-digit lead heading into the break up 39-28 after holding the Fighting Illini to .269 shooting (7-26) in the first half. Michigan shot just .429 (13-32) from the field itself but limited its turnovers to just five in the first frame while picking up six steals.
The Wolverines took complete control of the contest with a 12-0 run to start the second half, with Smith's low-post partner, LeeAnn Bies (Lakeview, Mich./Lakeview HS), delivering six of those points. Bies scored just two points in the first frame in seven minutes of action due to foul trouble. The 12-0 run left Michigan with a game-high lead of 23 (51-28) with 15:46 remaining.
Another hoop in the lane by Bies on a nice dish from Oesterle kept Michigan's advantage at 19 (58-39) with 11:09 remaining but a Michigan turnover ensued and Illinois began its best stretch of basketball of the game. Illinois took advantage of a couple turnovers and a short cold spell by the Wolverines to go on a 10-2 run and draw within 11 (60-49) with 7:47 left.
Just when it appeared Illinois was about to climb back in the game, Oesterle came up with a big offensive rebound and putback to right the Wolverine ship. The Wolverines then put the ball in the hands of their senior tri-captain Ingram as she took over and weathered the Illinois comeback. Following an Ingram layup at the four-minute mark, Michigan had pushed its lead back to 18 (74-56) and taken the wind out of the Illinois comeback.
Michigan eventually put the game away 83-63 and earned the right to move on against No. 1 seed Purdue in Friday's quarterfinals (March 1, 2:30 p.m.).
N O T E S
Michigan's plus-eight in the assist-turnover ratio (21-13) matched its second-best effort of the season. Michigan was plus-10 (23-13) in a 78-63 win over defending national champion Notre Dame on Dec. 2.
Michigan's 13 team steals matched a season best. The Wolverines also forced 13 steals in a win over Northwestern on Feb. 21.
Heather Oesterle matched a season best with six assists.
Jennifer Smith's 24-point effort is her fourth game this season with at least 20 points. That total is third on the Michigan roster behind Alayne Ingram (8) and LeeAnn Bies (7).
Q U O T E S
U-M Head Coach Sue Guevara
On the game overall ... "The last time we played Illinois (LeeAnn) Bies went for 36 points, so we thought they might focus on her a little bit and I told (Jennifer) Smith she could have a big game. Smith did a good job of reading the defense and attacking. Overall, we wanted to put our past Big Ten Tournament history behind us and we knew defense and rebounding would be the key. I thought we did a good job on both ends."
On Michigan's defense ... "Illinois scored 92 and 88 points when we played them in the regular season, so we knew we had to cut down their scoring to have a chance. We have been focusing on defense quite a bit in practice and we did a good job in the zone of getting our hands on the ball."
On Michigan's seniors ... "Our seniors did a nice job of getting everybody on the same page out on the floor. We knew this game was a must win for us and we are looking forward to the big challenge of playing Purdue tomorrow."
Senior Guard Alayne Ingram
On the key to the game ... "The most important thing to us was to come out strong in the second half. We did that and never gave in and we knew we could play. We started the season out 10-1 so we had confidence and our backs were against the wall."
Senior G-F Heather Oesterle
On the Michigan defense ... "Defense was definitely the difference in this game. As for my play, I just want to come off the bench and pick up where the player I am replacing left off. I try to bring intensity and leadership when needed."
Sophomore Forward Jennifer Smith
On her play ... "I thought I had a great focus in this game and I knew they might concentrate on (LeeAnn) Bies a little more. I think myself and the whole team just had an intensity and focus for the whole 40 minutes that was key."
Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423
