Michigan
Miami (Ohio)
Smith, Gandy Lead U-M Past Miami in Preseason WNIT
11/15/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's basketball team took a 79-68 win from the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks this afternoon (Saturday, Nov. 15) in the Preseason WNIT first round at Crisler Arena. After a slow start, the Wolverines were able to take command and make first-year head coach Cheryl Burnett's debut a success with the help of outstanding performances by senior center Jennifer Smith (Lansing, Mich./DeWitt HS) and senior forward Stephanie Gandy (Detroit, Mich./Northern HS), who totaled 24 and 23 points, respectively.
| | Gandy scored 15 of her 23 points in the first half as U-M took a 38-30 halftime edge. |
Miami led for most of the first half, and the RedHawks took a seven-point lead (22-15) before the Wolverines went on a 10-2 run. Michigan's run was keyed by five points from Gandy and a triple from Mie Burlin (Skovlunde, Denmark/BMS Club). The Wolverines finally regained the lead thanks to an assist from sophomore guard Rachael Carney (Flint, Mich./Powers Catholic HS) to Smith for two points. The RedHawks refused to give up their lead quietly, immediately responding with two points of their own before the Wolverines set the pace for the remainder of the half.
Gandy led the pack, putting up 15 points for Michigan in the first half. Just as she did in the 10-2 run earlier in the half, she commanded the final run for the Wolverines, scoring seven of the Wolverines' final 13 points to give Michigan a 38-30 lead going into halftime.
Miami began the second half strong, putting up five quick points on a jumper and triple. The Wolverines responded with a six-point run of their own, but the Redhawks went on a tear, hitting four of six three-point attempt to turn the eight-point Michigan halftime lead into a 53-50 Miami lead.
The contest turned into a battle at the free throw line, with both teams getting in the bonus fairly early in the second half.
With the score tied at 61 at the 7:52 mark, the Wolverines made their presence known, going on a nine-point run with contributions from Smith, Gandy, junior forward Tabitha Pool (Ann Arbor, Mich./Huron HS) and junior guard Sierra Hauser-Price (Van Nuys, Calif./Notre Dame Prep HS). Smith turned it up a notch in the half, scoring 19 of Michigan's 41 points. Gandy commanded the floor, drawing fouls and making excellent passes.
Miami finally broke Michigan's streak, sinking a layup to bring draw within seven (70-63). A RedHawk breakaway closed the gap to five, but Hauser-Price responded with her own two points to keep Miami at bay, 72-65.
Michigan secured its win in the final minute, going to the line three times to tally five points. Miami hit a three-point shot with 16 seconds remaining before Gandy capped off her performance with a two points off an assist from Pool to make the final score 79-68.
Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423
