Michigan
Australian Institute of Sport (ex)
Pool's 24, Improved Second Half Key Exhibition Victory
11/11/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's basketball team capped off its exhibition season with a 76-68 victory over the Australian Institute of Sport Thursday evening (Nov. 11) at Crisler Arena. The final tuneup before the regular season was hard fought by the Wolverines, who turned an eight-point deficit late in the first half into an eight-point victory with tenacious defense and relentless effort on the glass. Michigan out-rebounded AIS 43-29, grabbing 16 on the offensive glass.
Senior forward Tabitha Pool (Ann Arbor, Mich./Huron HS) turned in a strong performance for the Wolverines, going 10-for-17 from the floor with one triple for 24 points. Pool made her presence known in all areas of the game, bringing down six rebounds, collecting four assists and two steals and providing one block.
Freshman guard/forward Janelle Cooper (Detroit, Mich./Rennaissance HS) was the only other Wolverine to reach double digits, collecting 10 points including a 6-10 effort from the free throw line. Nobody epitomized the Wolverines' effort on the glass better than Cooper, who showed off her nose for the ball with five offensive rebounds.
The Wolverines took a small advantage at the outset of the first half, jumping out to a three-point lead in just under eight minutes of play. The tone was set by Pool, who put up eight of Michigan's first 12 points. The senior gave Michigan the 12-9 lead when she knocked down a tough jumper in the corner and then jumped in the passing lane for a steal and quick layup.
The score remained steady for the next four minutes of play with the Wolverines maintaining their small lead. Though a quick layup from freshman Jessica Starling (Tallahassee, Fla./Godby HS) would keep Michigan on top 22-20 with 7:26 left in the half, a three-minute U-M scoring drought ensued and surrendered the Maize and Blue lead. Australia rattled off nine straight points for a seven-point lead.
After AIS stretched its lead to eight (32-24), Pool hit a triple of her own. In the final two minutes of the half, it was aggressive play from the Wolverines that allowed them to stay within striking distance of AIS. Freshman point guard Becky Flippin (Springfield, Mo./Parkview HS) put up five straight points including a triple to bring Michigan within four (38-34) at the break.
The Wolverines made the necessary adjustments in the locker room after turning the ball over 15 times in the first frame. It took freshman Krista Clement (St. Ignace, Mich./LaSalle HS) less than 30 seconds to hit her third triple and set the stage for a strong second half from Michigan. After the two teams exchanged two-point field goals, the Maize and Blue dug in for a four-minute, 12-2 run that gave them the lead for the duration of the game.
The drive kicked off with eight straight points from U-M, including four from sophomore forward Kelly Helvey (Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic HS). Just as Helvey was getting the flow offensively, however, a heated struggle for a loose ball between she and Australia's Renae Camino resulted in both players being assessed flagrant fouls and being ejected from the contest.
As the run continued without Helvey, U-M gained its biggest lead of the evening off a fastbreak layup from Pool. One of the prettiest plays of the evening started with a Flippin steal and a pass to Starling, who immediately kicked it ahead to a streaking Pool. The senior converted the layup despite a foul and hit her bonus shot to give Michigan a seven-point lead (51-44) with 12:54 remaining.
The Wolverines held AIS to a safe distance for the rest of the contest, using good defensive effort and strong rebounding to push its lead to as much as 14 (71-57) with just under three minutes remaining. A marathon to the free throw line was the result and Michigan hit enough to maintain a safe lead and close out the 76-68 win.
The Wolverines will begin their regular season on the road, traveling to Alabama on Friday (Nov. 19). Tipoff is scheduled for a noon CST start at the Coleman Coliseum, and the game will be broadcast live on WTKA.
Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423
