Michigan
Texas Tech
Smith, Michigan Push No. 5 Lady Raiders Before Falling
11/28/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
DALLAS, Texas -- The University of Michigan women's basketball team gave fifth-ranked Texas Tech all it could handle behind a 30-point effort from senior center Jennifer Smith (Lansing, Mich./DeWitt HS) and trailed by just five with five minutes remaining, but the Lady Raiders' depth proved too much as the Wolverines fell 74-61 this evening (Friday, Nov. 28) in the first game of the SMU Hoops for the Cure Classic at Moody Coliseum on the campus of Southern Methodist University. Junior forward Tabitha Pool (Ann Arbor, Mich./Huron HS) added 16 points and 11 boards for the Wolverines, who fell to 3-3 while Texas Tech moved to 5-0.
| | Pool registered her second double-double of the season with 16 points and 11 boards. |
Smith started out quickly for the Wolverines, accounting for five of Michigan's first seven points, including her first triple of the season, in transition on a nice pass from freshman Kelly Helvey (Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic HS), which left the Wolverines down one (8-7) at the first media timeout with 14:44 remaining. Smith and Pool combined for Michigan's first 15 points and helped the Maize and Blue to an early 13-12 advantage, with Smith scoring 11 of those 15.
Helvey finally added a third name to the Michigan scoring column on a tough runner in the paint which trimmed Michigan's deficit back to one, 18-17. Senior Stephanie Gandy (Detroit, Mich./Northern HS) came off the bench and added four points, but following her second hoop, Texas Tech took off on its most impressive run of the first frame. The Lady Raiders second unit started to hit the offensive glass and was rewarded with trips to the stripe. Texas Tech out-rebounded Michigan 17-11 overall and 6-3 on the offensive glass in the first frame while making nine free throws compared to just two for the Wolverines. As a result, Michigan's deficit grew to 10 points (35-25) with less than five minutes left in the frame. The Lady Raiders hit their first triple under the one-minute mark for a half-best lead of 13 (42-29) before Pool tallied a bucket to send the Wolverines into the locker room down 42-31.
Smith led all scorers in the first half with 17 on 7-10 shooting and was one of only four Wolverines to score in the frame while nine different Lady Raiders put their names in the scoring column. Both teams shot over 50 percent in the first frame, with Texas Tech knocking down shots at a rate of .552 and Michigan scorching the nets at .519.
Despite the double-digit halftime deficit, Michigan let Texas Tech know it was not going anywhere with a great burst to open the second frame. Sierra Hauser-Price (Van Nuys, Calif./Notre Dame Prep) started the Wolverine run with her first hoop of the game, and then it was the Smith-Pool show again over the next three minutes. The two combined for Michigan's next 11 points, including Smith's second triple of the game, and after Pool's hoop at the 16:43 mark cut the deficit back to four (48-44), Texas Tech coach Marsha Sharp was forced to use a timeout.
Michigan struggled out of the timeout and managed just one field goal -- a triple by Pool -- over the next 7:37 as Texas Tech was forced to go zone in an attempt to slow down Smith. The zone worked and the Lady Raiders were able to stretch their lead back to double digits (59-48) with 9:54 left. However, Michigan turned up the intensity on the defensive end to stay in the game. Pool grabbed one of her team-high four steals and converted a layup on the other end as Michigan made one final run, cutting the lead to five (59-54). Texas Tech answered what proved to be the final Michigan run of the game and held on for the 74-61 win.
Michigan advances to tomorrow's consolation contest (5 p.m. CST) at Moody Coliseum vs. Texas-Arlington, a 74-71 loser to host SMU in the second semifinal contest.
N O T E S
Texas Tech's previous two victories vs. No. 18 UC Santa Barbara (68-41) and No. 15 Rutgers (73-45) were by an average of 27.5 points (70.5-43).
Jennifer Smith's 30-point effort is her second game this season with 30-plus points after never scoring 30 in her first three seasons. Smith has now scored in double figures in 13 straight games dating back to last season. The last time Smith was held below 10 points was Feb. 13, 2003, vs. Wisconsin at Crisler Arena.
Tabitha Pool tallied her second double-double of the season and 10th of her career with a 16-point, 11-rebound effort. Pool's four steals and three blocks matched career bests while setting season highs.
Q U O T E S
Michigan Head Coach Cheryl Burnett
On the game overall ... "I thought Jennifer Smith was outstanding and I was pleased with the effort our kids gave. I wanted them to believe when we walked onto the court we could win and I am really proud of the way they played. Texas Tech's depth was a big factor and it made it difficult to really game plan against because they have so many kids that do so many different things. I don't like moral victories, but we did make some strides tonight and we did a better job of executing certain things."
Senior Center Jennifer Smith
On Michigan's comeback attempts ... "I think those runs we made, particularly in the second half, we started when we do a good job of pressuring the ball, getting steals and scoring in transition. When we do that, we get excited as a team and everybody feeds off one another."
Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423
